Question

In Federalist Paper no. 51, Madison argues the Constitution would protect the rights of the minority, is he justified in believing that “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?”

Answer 1

Madison believed the Constitution's system of checks and balances would protect minority rights by preventing any single faction from gaining too much power, ensuring that a majority would generally align on justice and the common good.

Step-by-step explanation:

James Madison, in Federalist Paper no. 51, postulated that the structure of the Constitution would protect the rights of minorities by creating a balance within the federal government that prevents any one faction from becoming too powerful. He put forth the idea that it is difficult for a majority to form based on unjust principles because of the pluralistic nature of an extended republic where many factions and interests must negotiate and compromise, aligning more often on principles of justice and the general good rather than individual self-interest. Madison's confidence in the Constitution's ability to prevent the tyranny of the majority derived from a designed system of checks and balances inspired by Montesquieu's The Spirit of the Laws.

The democratic principles of America, according to Madison, would necessitate representation of diverse interests, preventing the dominance of a single faction. Therefore, it would be less likely for a majority to impact the minority unjustly, as the government is supposed to function with justice as its ultimate goal. While pluralism ensures multiple interests can be heard, Madison recognized that some groups might have disproportionate influence, but he believed that the competition among factions would ultimately act as a safeguard against the tyranny of the majority.

Answer 2

Madison believed that the existence of various minority groups or political groups would ensure that the oppression of the minority opinion by the coalition of majority must not happen.

The oppressive attitude of the majority over the minor political factions can be restrained when there exists the ‘Community Will’. Prevailing of different small groups in the society would prevent the tyranny of any majority group. Coalition of majority can happen when there is a need of justice for the general good to prevail in the republic.

The power of people must be so strong that even if the people mingle with other small sections they must impede the interest of all other groups being enforced on them.