🌈 Federalist no 51. Summary and Analysis of James Madison's Federalist No. 51. 2022-10-14

James Madison

By having state legislatures choose senators, the Constitution preserved an essential role for state governments in the composition of the national legislature. It can be little doubted that if the State of Rhode Island was separated from the Confederacy and left to itself, the insecurity of rights under the popular form of government within such narrow limits would be displayed by such reiterated oppressions of factious majorities that some power altogether independent of the people would soon be called for by the voice of the very factions whose misrule had proved the necessity of it. But in this is displayed the unparalleled sagacity of the August convention: that when such bulwarks of prejudice surrounded the evil, so as to render it both difficult and dangerous to attack it by assault and storm, they have invested and barricaded it so closely as will certainly deprive it of its baneful influence and prevent its usual encroachments. But how great was my surprise, when it appeared with such a venerable train of names annexed to its tail, to find some of the people under different signatures -- such as Centinel, Old Whig, Brutus, etc. Despite the contributions of these authors, James Madison alone was given the most credit for publishing these papers.

Antifederalist Paper 51

In the extended republic of the United States, and among the great variety of interests, parties, and sects which it embraces, a coalition of a majority of the whole society could seldom take place on any other principles than those of justice and the general good; whilst there being thus less danger to a minor from the will of a major party, there must be less pretext, also, to provide for the security of the former, by introducing into the government a will not dependent on the latter, or, in other words, a will independent of the society itself. The provision for defense must in this, as in all other cases, be made commensurate to the danger of attack. But with all due submission to the infallible wisdom of the grand convention, let me presume to examine whether they have not, in the new plan of government, inviolably adhered to this supreme principle. Hence a double security arises to the rights of the people. The System of Checks and Balances in the Constitution The government would be composed of human beings, with all their fallacies and weaknesses. Madison also explains that it can be easy to have the people in power to appoint these members, but this does not mean that difficulties are not existent.

Federalist Papers No. 51 (1788)

For better understanding, this Historyplex post gives you the summary of Federalist No. Simply declaring on paper that the three branches ought to be separate was a totally insufficient way to guarantee this end. After giving these observations, Madison points out a few interesting things about the Federal nature of the American Government. Indeed, the first two parties—the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans—came into existence almost immediately after ratification. It checked the national government orientation of the House, in which the people, not the states, directly elected representatives. The next object that presents itself is the power which the new constitution gives to congress to regulate the manner of elections.

The Federalist No. 51 and its Significance in Political Thought: [Essay Example], 1637 words GradesFixer

Federalist 51, however, argued that the theory of separation of powers was a general principle that was impossible to follow completely—some mixture and overlap between the powers was inevitable and, indeed, necessary. The remuneration offered to the members of one department must also not be controlled by any other department. This was a continuation of the federal practices of the Articles of Confederation. Let them consider those whom she hath taught to command with authority, but comply with disgust; to be fond of sway, but impatient of control; to consider themselves as Gods, and all the rest of mankind as two legged brutes. There is a small thrust given to it in the body of the conveyance itself.

James Madison and Federalist No. 51

The doctrine of separation of powers is an important part of The Federalist Papers. Her penchant for always having a book nearby has never faded, though her reading tastes have since evolved. Madison emphasized that a system of checks and balances would prevent this from happening and he uses the quote to show that checks and balances are necessary because men are not necessarily all angels. In republican government, the legislative authority necessarily predominates. But then the highest in votes cannot be president, without he has the majority of all the electors; and if none have this majority, then the congress is to choose the president out of the five highest on the return. Without presuming to undertake a full development of this important idea, I will hazard a few general observations, which may perhaps place it in a clearer light, and enable us to form a more correct judgment of the principles and structure of the government planned by the convention. The means of their own support must be within the immediate reach of the rulers.

AntiFederalist No. 51

By this means he may command any office in the gift of the people, which he pleases to set up for. Every species of beings, animate and inanimate, seem fully satisfied with the station assigned them by nature. Background of the authors This paper was written by either Alexander Hamilton or James Madison. The congress having thus disentangled themselves from all popular checks and choices, and being supported by a well disciplined army and active militia, will certainly command dread and respect abroad, obedience and submission at home. In the extended republic of the United States, and among the great variety of interests, parties, and sects which it embraces, a coalition of a majority of the whole society could seldom take place on any other principles than those of justice and the general good; whilst there being thus less danger to a minor from the will of a major party, there must be less pretext, also, to provide for the security of the former, by introducing into the government a will not dependent on the latter, or, in other words, a will independent of the society itself. There are, moreover, two considerations particularly applicable to the federal system of America, which place that system in a very interesting point of view.

Federalist Paper 51: Limiting Concentration of Power

As the weight of the legislative authority requires that it should be thus divided, the weakness of the executive may require, on the other hand, that it should be fortified. This, at best, is but a precarious security; because a power independent of the society may as well espouse the unjust views of the major, as the rightful interests of the minor party, and may possibly be turned against both parties. The later method is granted to the US Government by its constitution. Madison recognizes the existence of class distinction and the tyranny the majority often has over the minority. Hence a double security arises to the rights of the people.

Federalist No. 51 Excerpts Annotated

That is why the framers divided the Congress into two branches, the House of Representatives and the Senate, and provided for a different method of election in each branch. To assert after reading this passage that It is interesting to note that the Federalist papers are unique, as shown in this paper, because of the extreme amount of thought that was put into the design of the Constitution, as shown in Madison's original thought process that were penned in 51. There will be no trifling from time to time, as is done now. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. It is equally evident, that the members of each department should be as little dependent as possible on those of the others, for the emoluments annexed to their offices. Shortform note: The Seventeenth Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1913, ended senatorial election by state legislatures, mandating instead that senators be directly elected by the voters of their states.

The Federalist Papers Essay 51 Summary and Analysis

The Structure of the Government Must Furnish the Proper Checks and Balances Between the Different Departments. 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 sentinel over the public rights. They are therefore proper instruments in the hands of government to divest the people of their usurped rights. Because membership was to be determined by population, the larger states would naturally hold sway in the House. All states have varying laws that lie along the same lines. The essays, which were addressed to the people of the state of New York, appeared in New York newspapers and are known as the Federalist Papers. They are therefore proper instruments in the hands of government to divest the people of their usurped rights.

Federalist no 51. James Madison and Federalist No. 51 2022-10-14