Federalist 51, EXPLAINED [AP Government Foundational Documents]

Federalist 51

An essay written by James Madison discussing the need for checks and balances in government.

Separation of powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

Checks and balances

A system that ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful by allowing each branch to restrain the powers of the others.

Bicameral legislature

A legislature composed of two separate chambers or houses, as in the United States Congress, which includes the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Federalism

A system of governance in which power is divided between a central government and smaller political units, such as states.

Ambition must be made to counteract ambition

A principle suggesting that individual ambitions within the government should counterbalance each other to prevent tyranny.

Factions

Groups of individuals, such as political parties or interest groups, that may work against the common good; discussed in Federalist papers as a danger to liberty.

Liberty

The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority.

Impeachment

The process by which a legislative body levels charges against a government official, which may lead to removal from office.

Constitutional checks

Mechanisms established in the Constitution to limit the powers of government branches and protect individual rights.