Why Does the American Form of Government Work?

The Federalist #10

"From this view of the subject it may be concluded that a pure democracy, by which I mean a society consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble and administer the government in person, can admit of no cure for the mischiefs of faction."

In this quote, James Madison concludes that a pure democracy, which he views as total equality for everyone, would be unable to counter powerful and corrupt groups. Therefore, he argues, it a democratic republic is the most effective form of government, because the elected few are intelligent and righteous enough to limit the influence of factions. Madison's point of view here gives great insight into why the United States' government has functioned successfully for so long. As referenced in the article, there have been many instances of failed democracy, which has come from corruption induced by large factions. In the U.S, such factions exist, but the elected representatives are elite members of society, and are much less likely to allow outside interest groups to influence them. 

"The influence of factious leaders may kindle a flame within their particular States, but will be unable to spread a general conflagration through the other States."

Here, James Madison says that states will be vulnerable to the influence of factions. However, Madison argues that because of the democratic republic system, this influence would be unable to spread throughout the nation. Madison's idea about states once again shows the American desire for democracy, as well as its lack of naivety regarding the subject. States are run very democratically, with each citizen's vote counting towards the final outcome, which Madison understands to be very dangerous in terms of the vulnerability towards corrupt groups. However, on any occasion where an elected representative is in the pocket of a faction, other elected representatives would nullify his power. 

The Federalist #51

"But the great security against a gradual concentration of the several powers in the same department, consists in giving to those who administer each department the necessary constitutional means and personal motives to resist encroachments of the others."

James Madison's main point in the beginning of this article discusses the relationship between the three branches of government. In the quote above, James Madison each one as a way to curb each other's power so as to avoid all the power being placed in one way of thinking. Therefore, Madison argues that it is necessary to keep all three branches independent, so all three branches do not end up with the same opinions and biases. This shows the effectiveness of the American system compared to democracies of the past, where people or groups with special interests had easy access to power. 

"There are but two methods of providing against this evil: the one by creating a will in the community independent of the majority -- that is, of the society itself; the other, by comprehending in the society so many separate descriptions of citizens as will render an unjust combination of a majority of the whole very improbable, if not impracticable.

In this passage, James Madison argues that democracies would normally give too much power to the majority. Madison believes that this is a problem because it would mean the government ignores the needs of minority. Therefore, he suggests creating separate descriptions of citizens so as to divide society up, and make a majority very difficult to achieve. This valuation of the minority also represents a facet of American government that is integral to its success. By making sure the minorities are fairly represented, government officials cannot only appeal to a majority.