Madison's view on human nature is realistic. He assumed that man was at his best when capable of self-reason and discipline that the government was a true reflection of the people.
The authors of The Federalist Papers surely believed that there was a positive aspect to human nature. They often talk about reason, virtue, and morality. But they also acknowledged there was a negative aspect to human nature. They believed that outlining a republic required a balance of power that frees human dignity and rationality and controls human sin and depravity. As there is a gradation of corruption in men which necessitates an assured degree of caution and distrust, so there are other merits in human nature which validate a certain portion of esteem and confidence. Republican government assumes the existence of these qualities in a higher degree than any other form.
The framers created a government that was grounded upon a realistic view of human nature.The success of this administration in large part is due to untying power structures because of their desire to limit the impact of human sinfulness.