James Madison

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13 February 1788

James MadisonKorrents 13 Feb 1788

From one piece The Federalist Papers (1787-1788) 2 beliefs, in the piece's order there

korrents.com
Republican government presupposes more virtue in people than any other form

government

Their words

As there is a degree of depravity in mankind which requires a certain degree of circumspection and distrust, so there are other qualities in human nature which justify a certain portion of esteem and confidence. Republican government presupposes the existence of these qualities in a higher degree than any other form.

The Federalist Papers (1787-1788)gutenberg.org
korrents.com
In very large assemblies passion always overpowers reason

Their words

In all very numerous assemblies, of whatever character composed, passion never fails to wrest the sceptre from reason. Had every Athenian citizen been a Socrates, every Athenian assembly would still have been a mob.

The Federalist Papers (1787-1788)gutenberg.org

6 February 1788

James MadisonKorrents 6 Feb 1788

From one piece The Federalist Papers (1787-1788) 3 beliefs, in the piece's order there

korrents.com
Justice is the end of government and of civil society

government

Their words

Justice is the end of government. It is the end of civil society. It ever has been and ever will be pursued until it be obtained, or until liberty be lost in the pursuit.

The Federalist Papers (1787-1788)gutenberg.org
korrents.com
If people were angels no government would be needed

government

Their words

If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.

The Federalist Papers (1787-1788)gutenberg.org
korrents.com
Ambition must be set against ambition so that each branch resists the others

ambition

Their words

Ambition must be made to counteract ambition. The interest of the man must be connected with the constitutional rights of the place.

The Federalist Papers (1787-1788)gutenberg.org

30 January 1788

James MadisonKorrents 30 Jan 1788

korrents.com
Concentrating legislative, executive and judicial power in the same hands is the definition of tyranny

Their words

The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.

The Federalist Papers (1787-1788)gutenberg.org

16 January 1788

James MadisonKorrents 16 Jan 1788

From one piece The Federalist Papers (1787-1788) 2 beliefs, in the piece's order there

korrents.com
The proposed Constitution is neither purely national nor purely federal but a mix of both

Their words

The proposed Constitution, therefore, is, in strictness, neither a national nor a federal Constitution, but a composition of both.

The Federalist Papers (1787-1788)gutenberg.org
korrents.com
A republic may be defined, or at least named, as a government deriving its powers from the people and run by officials with limited or conditional tenure

government

Their words

If we resort for a criterion to the different principles on which different forms of government are established, we may define a republic to be, or at least may bestow that name on, a government which derives all its powers directly or indirectly from the great body of the people, and is administered by persons holding their offices during pleasure, for a limited period, or during good behavior.

The Federalist Papers (1787-1788)gutenberg.org

30 November 1787

James MadisonKorrents 30 Nov 1787

korrents.com
A democracy is confined to a small area while a republic can extend over a large region

democracy

Their words

A democracy, consequently, will be confined to a small spot. A republic may be extended over a large region.

The Federalist Papers (1787-1788)gutenberg.org

22 November 1787

James MadisonKorrents 22 Nov 1787

From one piece The Federalist Papers (1787-1788) 5 beliefs, in the piece's order there

korrents.com
A larger republic makes it less likely a majority will unite to invade others' rights

Their words

Extend the sphere, and you take in a greater variety of parties and interests; you make it less probable that a majority of the whole will have a common motive to invade the rights of other citizens; or if such a common motive exists, it will be more difficult for all who feel it to discover their own strength, and to act in unison with each other.

The Federalist Papers (1787-1788)gutenberg.org
korrents.com
A pure democracy can offer no cure for the harms of faction

governmentdemocracy

Their words

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.

The Federalist Papers (1787-1788)gutenberg.org
korrents.com
Enlightened statesmen will not always be in charge, so a system cannot rely on them

Their words

It is in vain to say that enlightened statesmen will be able to adjust these clashing interests, and render them all subservient to the public good. Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm.

The Federalist Papers (1787-1788)gutenberg.org

+ 2 more

korrents.com
Regulating competing economic interests is the main task of modern legislation

government

Their words

The regulation of these various and interfering interests forms the principal task of modern legislation, and involves the spirit of party and faction in the necessary and ordinary operations of the government.

The Federalist Papers (1787-1788)gutenberg.org
korrents.com
Unequal distribution of property has been the most common and durable source of factions

Their words

But the most common and durable source of factions has been the various and unequal distribution of property. Those who hold and those who are without property have ever formed distinct interests in society.

The Federalist Papers (1787-1788)gutenberg.org

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