Why Does the American Form of Government Work?

Federalist No. 10:
     Federalist Essay Number 10 states that one reason why our federal government works is because "the regulation of these various and interfering interests forms the principal task of modern legislation." The interests being referred to in this quote are those of the factions of society, groups of people joined together by a common interest. Controlling the effects of the factions are essential to maintaining a successful government because if a faction gains too much power against the government, the government can be at risk for a rebellion. The effects of factions are most easily controlled by a republic, a body of representatives elected by the people that make decisions for the country. This is an extremely valid system because it controls the factions while still allowing the people to feel as though they are contributing and that their rights are not being taken away. Representatives are also more likely to make decisions based on the needs of the community, whereas if everyone had a say, such as in a democracy, some may act out of self interest only. The United States government is certainly a form of a republic, for the people of this nation vote for elected representatives to make our legislative decisions.
     Madison also argues in this essay that a larger republic is better than a smaller one, for worthy representatives are more likely to get elected by a large group of people than a smaller one. In other words, it is easier to manipulate a small group of people into voting for a representative who is only going to act out of self interest; however, it is increasingly more difficult to convince a large group of people that someone who should not represent the people is worthy of being elected. A larger republic also provides more diversity, which results in a lower chance of big, strong factions. The smaller and less powerful the factions are, the better for the government because their safety from resistance is almost guaranteed. When applying this concept of a larger republic to the United States, Madison reasoned that all of the states working together as a whole creates a more cohesive government than the individual state governments would. The United States government is not only successful because it is a republic, which controls the effects of the factions, but because it is a coalition of all of the different states.

Federalist No. 51:
     Federalist Essay Number 51 stresses the importance the system of checks and balances has on our federal government. While discussing the different branches of government, Madison discusses that the checks and balances work because, "the great security against a gradual concentration of the several powers in the same department, consists in giving to those who administer each department the necessary constitutional means and personal motives to resist encroachment of others." In other words, the current system of checks in balances in place for the United States government prevents one of the branches from becoming too greedy for power by giving each branch enough to keep them satisfied. For example, one could easily argue that the legislative branch is the most important branch of the three. By separating the legislative branch into a bicameral legislature, it slightly diminishes the legislative branch's power, leaving the other two branches less threatened. Also, the executive branch could easily be circumvented had it not been for the power of veto granted to the president. These are examples of "special powers" granted to each of the three branches to maintain their satisfaction and keep the system of checks and balances equal. This also prevents any of the departments from becoming dependent upon one another. Each branch is able to handle its own matters without the interference of another branch because another department does not have the liberty to do so. The United States government is successful because it has a very effective system of checks and balances in place.