James Madison's Federalist #10: The Problem of Factions and Possible Solutions

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from Madison's Federalist #10 as presented in the notes.

Faction

A group of citizens, whether in the majority or minority, united by a common impulse of passion or interest that harms the rights of others or the community's long‑term interests.

Liberty

Freedom necessary for individuals' faculties; for Madison, liberty is to faction as air is to fire—essential for its existence.

Tyranny of the majority

A situation in which the majority imposes its will at the expense of minority rights, undermining justice.

Diversity in the faculties of man

Natural variation in abilities, opinions, and interests among people that fuels the formation of factions.

Protection of different and unequal faculties of acquiring property

The government protects varying kinds and degrees of property, which leads to different interests and parties.

Division into interests and parties

A social consequence of unequal property and faculties, resulting in competing groups.

Instability, injustice, and confusion in public councils

Problems that Madison calls mortal diseases of popular governments.

Public good vs. rival parties

In factional conflicts, measures are often decided by force of the majority rather than justice.

Zeal for different opinions

Strong, divergent views on religion, government, and other matters that divide people into parties.

Democracy

A system where a small number of citizens administer the government in person, usually with few interests and in a small territory.

Republic

A system with representatives governing, many interests, usually in a large territory.

Democratic Republic

A form of government that is both a democracy and a republic—representative governance over a broad territory.

Protection of faculties (first object of government)

The government’s primary purpose is to protect individuals’ faculties, including liberty and property.

Design of government

Madison’s solution: structure political institutions to control faction effects rather than destroy liberty.

Relief from factions

Because the causes of faction cannot be removed, relief lies in controlling the effects of faction.

political patronage:

is the practice of giving government jobs, contracts, or other benefits to people as a reward for their political support or loyalty, rather than based on merit or qualifications

Political efficacy

is the belief that your actions—especially voting or participating in politics—can make a difference in government and influence political decisions.

social capital

The networks, relationships, and trust among people that help them work together to solve problems and participate effectively in civic and political life.

Partisan politics

Political actions or decisions that strongly support a specific political party, often leading to division or conflict between parties.