Federalist No. 10

Definition

Federalist No. 10 is one of the most famous essays in The Federalist Papers, written by James Madison, addressing the dangers of factions and how a large republic can mitigate their negative effects. It argues that a diverse society under a federal government will create a system in which no single faction can dominate, thus protecting individual liberties and ensuring stable governance.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Federalist No. 10 was published on November 22, 1787, and is often regarded as one of the most important writings on political theory in American history.
2. Madison argues that a large republic is more effective in controlling factions than a smaller republic because it can encompass a greater variety of interests and opinions.
3. The essay emphasizes that while factions are inevitable due to the nature of man, their adverse effects can be mitigated by establishing a strong constitutional framework.
4. Madison contends that direct democracy could lead to tyranny of the majority, which can be avoided in a representative republic.
5. Federalist No. 10 provides foundational arguments for the structure of the U.S. government and remains relevant in discussions about political polarization and minority rights.

Review Questions

• How does Madison describe the impact of factions on democratic governance in Federalist No. 10?
  • Madison describes factions as groups that pursue their own interests at the expense of the common good, which can lead to instability and conflict within a democracy. He argues that unchecked factions can threaten individual liberties and minority rights. In Federalist No. 10, he emphasizes that a large republic can mitigate these dangers by diluting factional power through diverse interests, ensuring that no single group can dominate political outcomes.
• In what ways does Federalist No. 10 support the idea of a strong central government over smaller state governments?
  • Federalist No. 10 supports a strong central government by arguing that only such a government can effectively manage the influence of factions across a larger territory. Madison believes that state governments might be too susceptible to local factions that could infringe upon the rights of others. A federal system allows for a broader representation of interests, making it less likely for any one faction to control the national agenda, thus promoting stability and liberty.
• Evaluate how Madison's arguments in Federalist No. 10 are still relevant to contemporary issues of political polarization in the United States.
  • Madison's arguments in Federalist No. 10 remain highly relevant today as they address issues of political polarization and the influence of special interest groups. His assertion that a large republic can dilute factional control speaks to current concerns about partisan divides and lobbying influences in politics. Madison's idea encourages ongoing debates about how to balance majority rule with minority rights and highlights the importance of maintaining a diverse representation within government to safeguard against tyranny and ensure that democracy functions effectively.

Related terms

Factions: Groups of people with shared interests or goals that can potentially conflict with the rights of others or the interests of the community as a whole.

The Federalist Papers: A series of 85 essays written to promote the ratification of the United States Constitution, outlining the philosophy and motivation behind the document.

Republicanism: A political ideology centered around a government that is accountable to the citizens and operates through elected representatives.