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Thomas Paine How Does Madison Define A Faction Analysis

Decent Essays

1. What is the primary problem that Madison addresses in this essay?
In his address to the people of New York, Madison states that U.S. democracy is inherently subject to the development of factions among political parties¬. Despite constitutional efforts to pacify issues of injustice, there will always remain a group that is misrepresented and shrouded by the clout of the overbearing majority. As a result of these inevitable factions, U.S. government is unstable and disproportionate in its distribution of power, leaving all influence in the hands of the politically dominant while the rights and welfare of the public is disregarded.
2. How does Madison define “faction”?
Madison describes a faction as a group of citizens that are unified based on common beliefs, goals, interests, or even mutual aversion to the values of another group. A faction essentially defines …show more content…

What two methods exist to solve the problem of factions?
Madison claims that the first method of eliminating faction conflict is to dissolve the freedom that primarily allows the conflict to exist. If the option to openly dissent is eradicated by government action and only a single unified body exists, then equal representation is implicit because no two differing groups exist.
The second method would be to “give” all citizens a congenial mindset. Thus, all citizens would agree on the same policies, ideas, solutions etc. and there would be no variation in opinion. Independent thinking would be obsolete.
4. What is the problem with the first solution of removing the causes? Why?
The problem with eliminating freedom is that in doing so, politics as a whole will fail. Politics are fueled by principles and opinions— both only possible if there is variation allowed in one’s choosing. If there is no alternative to an opinion, then it is concrete. Therefore, the elimination of freedom is the elimination of what creates politics.
5. What is the problem with the second solution of removing the causes?

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