Federalist 10, Federalist 51, Brutus 1

Faction

A group of citizens united by a common interest that is adverse to the rights of others or the community's interests.

Causes of Faction

Differences in opinions, passions, and interests arising from the fallibility of human reasoning.

Primary object of government

To protect the faculties of men, particularly their abilities to acquire property and form opinions.

Origin of property rights

Diversity in the faculties of men leads to unequal possession of property.

Common source of factions

The various and unequal distribution of property.

Remedies for faction mischiefs

1. Destroying liberty. 2. Ensuring all citizens share the same opinions, passions, and interests.

Controlling faction effects

It is preferable to control the effects of faction rather than remove its causes.

Pure democracy

A system where citizens directly administer the government in person.

Republic

A system deriving its powers from the people and operating through representation.

Inhibition of faction effects in a republic

Refinement of public views through representatives and enlarging the sphere of governance.

Three branches of government

Legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Weakest branch of government

The judicial branch, as it has neither FORCE nor WILL, only judgment.

Methods to check government powers

Separation of powers and checks and balances to resist encroachments.

Assurance of separation of powers

Independent authority for each branch and prevention of total control by any branch.

Examples of checks and balances

Presidential veto of congressional legislation; Senate’s power to approve or reject executive appointments and treaties.

Exception to separation of powers

Legislative branch, which is divided into two houses, preventing tyrannical dominance.

Federalism

The division of power between the national government and state governments.

Advantages of federalism

1. Double security to rights of the people. 2. Multiple government levels controlling each other.

End of government

Justice is the supreme goal of government and civil society.

Madison's view of human nature

A realistic view that necessitates structures to control both the governed and the government.

Brutus 1

An argument against ratifying the Constitution, favoring a confederacy over a strong central government.

Prefix of confederacy

A government model where states hold most power and the central government is hands-off.

Necessary and proper clause

Allows the federal government to create laws as needed, potentially overpowering state laws.

Supremacy clause

Establishes that federal laws take precedence over state laws.

Size argument against republic

A belief that a large nation cannot effectively have representatives who understand and reflect the people's needs.