Question

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. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself.

—James Madison, Federalist Paper 51

Which concept is James Madison discussing?

Answer 1

James Madison is discussing the principle of checks and balances within the government, aimed at ensuring no single branch becomes too powerful and the government remains accountable to the people, reflecting on the imperfections of human nature and the necessity of such measures.

Step-by-step explanation:

James Madison, in the Federalist Paper 51, is discussing the concept of a system of checks and balances within the government. This concept is central to the Constitution's design, intending to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful and to ensure that the government remains accountable to the people. Madison argues for a government that has enough authority to govern but also has ways of controlling itself to prevent tyranny. In his view, human nature necessitates such checks and balances; otherwise, if men were angels, no government nor controls would be necessary.

Madison's recognition of the imperfection of human nature necessitates these checks and balances in framing a government, aligning with his broader views on preventing the tyranny of the majority and the dangers of factions as expressed in Federalist No. 10. By advocating for a division of powers and a republican government, Madison aims to ensure that the government reflects the diverse interests of a large republic, forestalling the rise of powerful factions and safeguarding minority rights against majority tyranny.