AP Gov: Foundational Documents - Federalist 51 Study Guide

Who authored Federalist 51?

James Madison

What quote explains why government and internal controls are necessary given human flaws?

"If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary."

What is the core dilemma or "great difficulty" when framing a government administered by men over men?

You must first enable the government to control the governed, and in the next place oblige it to control itself.

What two constitutional mechanisms supply the defect of human nature by keeping government branches in their proper places?

Separation of powers and checks and balances.

How does Federalist 51 propose ensuring that each department has a "will of its own"?

By ensuring members of each branch have as little agency as possible in appointing members of the other branches.

Which branch of government naturally possesses the most power in a democracy?

The legislative branch.

What is the remedy provided in Federalist 51 for the inconvenience of a dominant legislative branch?

To divide the legislature into different branches with different modes of election and different principles of action.

What system divides power between two distinct governments: the national government and the state governments?

Federalism

Why does the "compound republic of America" offer a "double security" for the rights of the people?

Power is first divided between two distinct governments (national and state), and then the portion allotted to each is subdivided among separate departments.

What is an example of an executive check on the legislative branch?

Vetoing laws passed by Congress.

What are two examples of legislative checks on the executive branch?

The power of impeachment and the power of removal from office.

How does the judicial branch check both the legislative and executive branches?

By ruling on the constitutionality of laws and executive actions.

What famous phrase explains how the interior structure of the government uses human drives to limit power?

"Ambition must be made to counteract ambition."

How does having a large variety of factions protect the liberty of the people?

The more factions there are, the less able any single faction is to dominate the rest.