Federalist No. 10
James Madison, 1787 - The Danger of Factions to a Democracy
Summary
Groups will naturally divide themselves into "factions" that represent common interests and political goals.
Factions are always tempted to protect their own interests, especially when it comes to unequal property (money), and will often abuse the rights of other factions.
These abuses are often caused by majority groups suppressing minority groups.
These abuses show up in small and regional government units, since minorities are easily abused in such settings.
A larger and nationally oriented government can function as a counterbalance to regional abuses and therefore protect all groups.
Important Quotes
"By a faction, I understand a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or a minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adversed to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community."
"There are two methods of curing the mischiefs of faction: the one, by removing its causes; the other, by controlling its effects."
"But the most common and durable source of factions has been the various and unequal distribution of property. Those who hold and those who are without property have ever formed distinct interests in society."
"...the smaller the number of individuals composing a majority, and the smaller the compass within which they are placed, the more easily will they concert and execute their plans of oppression. Extend the sphere, and you take in a greater variety of parties and interests; you make it less probable that a majority of the whole will have a common motive to invade the rights of other citizen."
Connections
Document
Brutus 1 (-)
Counter-argument to large republic
Court Case
Citizens United v. FEC (+)
Protected political speech of groups
Unit 1
Expressed/Enumerated Powers (+)
Federal power to control factions
Unit 6
Goals of Interest Groups (-)
Modern factions in politics
Key Takeaways
- Factions are inevitable in a free society
- A large republic helps control the effects of factions
- Property is the most common source of factions
- Representative government filters majority tyranny