Why the American government works

Federalist Paper #10:

"The other point...is, the greater number of citizens, and extent of territory, which may be brought within the compass of republican, than of democratic government; and it is this circumstance principally which renders factious combinations less to be dreaded in the former, than in the latter."

"...to refine and enlarge the public views, by passing them through the medium of a chosen body of citizens, whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of their country, and whose patriotism and love of justice, will be least likely to sacrifice it to temporary or partial considerations. Under such a regulation, it may well happen, that the public voice, pronounced by the representatives of the people, will be more consonant to the public good, ... convened for the purpose. "

In Federalist Paper 10, James Madison states how a republican form of government compared to a democracy can reduce more of the harmful effects that factions, or the division of people due to varying political beliefs, can bring to a nation. By adding more representatives to protect people living in an "extent of territory" run by this type of government, this will help to prevent further dictatorial effects of factions. These implementations will make it harder for factions to eliminate more of "a greater number of citizens(')" liberty and rights because it would require that faction to have to develop a more powerful influence on the nation's people; otherwise, they would leave a weaker impact on a larger nation. Additionally, Madison points out that republics are more capable of accomplishing the goal of reducing factions because the power of a government is given to "a chosen body of citizens", which with the majority of them (having a) "wisdom (that) may best discern the true interest of their country." Possessing this knowledge implies that those government representatives have a better understanding of the way that would allow them to most effectively run the government and promote "public voice."

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Federalist Paper #51: 

"We see it particularly displayed in all the subordinate distributions of power; where the constant aim is, to divide and arrange the several offices in such a manner as that each may be a check on the other; that the private interest of every individual may be a centinel over the public rights. "

"It is of great importance in a republic... to guard one part of the society against the injustice of the other part. Different interests necessarily exist in different classes of citizens. If a majority be united by a common interest, the rights of the minority will be insecure." 


In Federalist Paper 51, James Madison states that one of the reasons why the American government works is because of the checks and balances system that runs through the three branches of the nation's government. The power of one governmental branch can be limited by the other two branches, who "check" that branch's power. These implementations will help a nation run its government more fairly because the checks and balances help to prevent a certain branch from having too much dominance over the others. Additionally, Madison points out that in order to prevent inequality in a republic, the government must "guard one part of the society against the injustice of the other part." In many societies, power can shift more towards the majority, which may cause the minority to feel more threatened. However, Madison says that by guarding individuals from others who have different opinions on an issue, this will help everyone avoid the risk of losing their liberty from groups that have differing beliefs.