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Federalist No. 51: Difference between revisions
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'''Understanding Federalist 51: translating the big ideas''' | '''Understanding Federalist 51: translating the text & the big ideas''' | ||
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See also: | |||
* [[Federalist No. 51]] | |||
* [[:Category:Federalist Papers|Federalist Papers entries (category page)]] | |||
{{Federalist Papers}} | {{Federalist Papers}} | ||
== Federalist No. 51 | '''The Federalist papers''' | ||
{{Federalist Papers}} | |||
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== Federalist No. 51 background == | |||
* Federalists 37-84, in general, review the proposed structure of the federal government and discuss it's theoretical foundations in a republican form of government | * Federalists 37-84, in general, review the proposed structure of the federal government and discuss it's theoretical foundations in a republican form of government | ||
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** Federalist 57: "'''The Alleged Tendency of the New Plan to Elevate the Few at the Expense of the Many"''' | ** Federalist 57: "'''The Alleged Tendency of the New Plan to Elevate the Few at the Expense of the Many"''' | ||
== | ==Federalist No. 51 summary== | ||
* Madison discusses the purposes and benefits of divided government and a system of "checks and balances" | * Madison discusses the purposes and benefits of divided government and a system of "checks and balances" | ||
** = each divided portion of the government can "check" the other and exercise "balanced" powers | ** = each divided portion of the government can "check" the other and exercise "balanced" powers | ||
* Madison also addresses the paradox that government is necessary to inhibit human ambition | * Madison also addresses the paradox that government is necessary to inhibit human ambition | ||
** "If men were angels, no government would be necessary" | ** "'''''If men were angels, no government would be necessary'''''." | ||
* while at the same time propelling it for one "faction" at the expense of others | * while at the same time propelling it for one "faction" at the expense of others | ||
** the solution,, which Madison first proposed in Federalist No. 10, is | ** the solution,, which Madison first proposed in Federalist No. 10, is | ||
*** not to prohibit faction and ambition | *** not to prohibit faction and ambition | ||
*** but to limit both through divided and balanced government | *** but to limit both through divided and balanced government | ||
*** through a system of checks and balances, | |||
*** making it difficult for any single faction to control all of them | *** making it difficult for any single faction to control all of them | ||
*** | ** thus creating a system by which, as Madison explains, | ||
*** "'''''Ambition must be made to counteract ambition'''''." | |||
* Madison also importantly addresses the need for checks and balances within the legislature itself, thus its bicameral (2 houses) form | * Madison also importantly addresses the need for checks and balances within the legislature itself, thus its bicameral (2 houses) form | ||
* a significant element to Madison's argument is that a large republic with the federal system of checks and balances within the federal government and within the states themselves, would protect the liberties of the people | * a significant element to Madison's argument is that a large republic with the federal system of checks and balances within the federal government and within the states themselves, would protect the liberties of the people | ||
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'''''<big>To the People of the State of New York:</big>''''' | '''''<big>To the People of the State of New York:</big>''''' | ||
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== Authorship == | == Authorship == | ||
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** = protection of private (individual) rights are more important than the "public" (government) rights | ** = protection of private (individual) rights are more important than the "public" (government) rights | ||
Therefore, Madison argues, the "private interest" (rights) | Therefore, Madison argues, the "private interest" (rights) must not be "less requisite" than the "supreme powers of the State" | ||
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