James Madison argues in his paper Federalist Number 10 and in Federalist Number 51 the importance of a republic, despite the many flaws it has, for a republic is the only achievable way to govern the new country was through a representative, unifying government with separation of branches that work toward justice.
"There are again two methods of removing the causes of faction: the one, by destroying the liberty which is essential to its existence; the other, by giving to every citizen the same opinions, the same passions, and the same interests."
Despite all attempts, a large body of people will never have a unanimous opinions, due to varying self interests and beliefs. The only way that could ever be possible is if their freedom is taken away or if by some chance they all have the same beliefs, an instance that is almost impossible. Madison acknowledges these flaws, but states that all governments are going to have this problem, but that the only way we can fix it is through working toward the same goal of a unified government. If people understand that matters will not always go their way but decisions are made working toward the same goal, we will have a more cohesive and unified country.
"In the first place, it is to be remarked that, however small the republic may be, the representatives must be raised to a certain number, in order to guard against the cabals of a few; and that, however large it may be, they must be limited to a certain number, in order to guard against the confusion of a multitude. Hence, the number of representatives in the two cases not being in proportion to that of the two constituents, and being proportionally greater in the small republic, it follows that, if the proportion of fit characters be not less in the large than in the small republic, the former will present a greater option, and consequently a greater probability of a fit choice."
The way to achieve this representative government is through a representative body, of which is large enough to address the majority of the people, but small enough where they are not too overpowering. Through executing this idea, the representative will appease the people of its state, and still work with the nation to achieve national goals, and support the Federalist.
Because there were always be factions, and disagreement between the American people, the only way to progress is to control the outcomes not the causes. It is because we realize this that the American government works. The government tries its best to appease the majority of the people through debates, laws, and the representatives that make the people feel like their interests are being heard and are trying to be met. Our nation understands the importance of giving up self interest for the national gain, and are able to look past that for the goals of the country. As long as everyone is appeased with the attempts if not the success, the government will work.
"It is equally evident, that the members of each department should be as little dependent as possible on those of the others, for the emoluments annexed to their offices. Were the executive magistrate, or the judges, not independent of the legislature in this particular, their independence in every other would be merely nominal. But 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 encroachments of the others. "
Madison argues for a complete separation of branches for a functioning government. This is because separate branches with separate ways of getting elected will cover the majority of people's interests with no one party being too powerful, which could lead to corruption. This is also a system of "checks and balances" where no branch has the authority to become too powerful without the other two checking their power to assure all needs are being heard, if not met.
"Justice is the end of government. It is the end of civil society. It ever has been and ever will be pursued until it be obtained, or until liberty be lost in the pursuit. In a society under the forms of which the stronger faction can readily unite and oppress the weaker, anarchy may as truly be said to reign as in a state of nature, where the weaker individual is not secured against the violence of the stronger; and as, in the latter state, even the stronger individuals are prompted, by the uncertainty of their condition, to submit to a government which may protect the weak as well as themselves; so, in the former state, will the more powerful factions or parties be gradually induced, by a like motive, to wish for a government which will protect all parties, the weaker as well as the more powerful."
America was found on the basis of freedom, and every country should work for justice. It is imperative for the United States to work for the good of all the people. If any party, group, or person were to be oppressed by the majority, the government has failed to meet the needs of the people. The government's job is to assert order and fairness, so that all groups can be protected.
The American government works because it meets the needs of all the people through its representative government that hears all opinions, while still keeping in mind the goals of the country. With our three branch system, no group will become to powerful and resort to authoritative control that no longer protects all people. Our country was based off freedom and justice, and while we still are putting those ideals above all else, the government will be a fully functioning power that receives its worth from the support of the people.
No comments:
Post a Comment