Why Does the American Form of Government Work?

"The two great points of difference between a democracy and a republic are: first, the delegation of the government, in the latter, to a small number of citizens elected by the rest; secondly, the greater number of citizens, and greater sphere of country, over which the latter may be extended. The effect of the first difference is, on the one hand, 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 than if pronounced by the people themselves, convened for the purpose."

- Federalist Paper No. 10

Madison makes the argument for why the American form of government works by comparing it to a pure democracy. Essentially, he argues that a republic with a certain number of representatives is a preferable form of government because it allows for the greatest public good and is able to check back on any detriments that come with a traditional republic. First, Madison claims that a republic, where "a small number of citizens" are "elected by the rest", is able to "refine and enlarge the public views" by utilizing the representatives, "whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of their country." This republican form of government is able to make the best decisions for the country because it is not purely governed by the not-so-wise masses like a democracy, but instead, is more "refined" through the "wisdom" of elected representatives. These thoughts are later re-affirmed by Madison, who states that "the public voice, pronounced by the representatives of the people, will be more consonant to the public good than if pronounced by the people themselves." Once again, America's republican style of government is the most beneficial to the public good and preferable to pure democratic rule. Because the republican style of government is able to make the objectively best decisions through the wisdom of representatives, the American government is therefore able to flourish and "work."

"There are, moreover, two considerations particularly applicable to the federal system of America, which place that system in a very interesting point of view. First. In a single republic, all the power surrendered by the people is submitted to the administration of a single government; and the usurpations are guarded against by a division of the government into distinct and separate departments. In the compound republic of America, the power surrendered by the people is first divided between two distinct governments, and then the portion allotted to each subdivided among distinct and separate departments. Hence a double security arises to the rights of the people. The different governments will control each other, at the same time that each will be controlled by itself. Second. It is of great importance in a republic not only to guard the society against the oppression of its rulers, but 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."

- Federalist Paper No. 51

Here, Madison details how the American republic has twice the amount of security as other republican governments and therefore, is even more effectively guarded against usurpation, oppression, and rights violations. Madison first outlines how "usurpations are guarded against by a division of the government into distinct and separate departments." Essentially, the republican government is divided into "separate" branches, which prevents power from being seized unilaterally. In America, however, this power division is furthered, by being "subdivided among distinct and separate departments." Hamilton summarizes this by claiming that "a double security arises to the rights of the people." Overall, the American form of government is able to rise above other republics by dividing the power amongst a greater number of departments within the government. This is therefore able to "guard the society against the oppression of its rulers" and "usurpation." Because the American form of government is able to more effectively guard against things that could easily topple a government, it is therefore able to actually function and "work."