Question

In which sentence does Madison describe a specific harm that factionalism can cause to a government?

A. The friend of popular governments never finds himself so much alarmed for their character and fate, as when he contemplates their propensity to this dangerous vice.
B. The instability, injustice, and confusion introduced into the public councils, have, in truth, been the mortal diseases under which popular governments have everywhere perished; as they continue to be the favorite and fruitful topics from which the adversaries to liberty derive their most specious declamations.
C. Complaints are everywhere heard from our most considerate and virtuous citizens, equally the friends of public and private faith, and of public and personal liberty, that our governments are too unstable
D. It will be found, indeed, on a candid review of our situation, that some of the distresses under which we labor have been erroneously charged on the operation of our governments; but it will be found, at the same time, that other causes will not alone account for many of our heaviest misfortunes

Answer 1

James Madison specifically describes the harm of factionalism causing 'instability, injustice, and confusion' in the government in Federalist No. 10, which historically led to the downfall of popular governments.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the context of Federalist No. 10, written by James Madison, the sentence that specifically describes a harm that factionalism can cause to a government is: B. "The instability, injustice, and confusion introduced into the public councils, have, in truth, been the mortal diseases under which popular governments have everywhere perished; as they continue to be the favorite and fruitful topics from which the adversaries to liberty derive their most specious declamations."

This sentence lays out the consequences of factionalism such as instability, injustice, and confusion, which have historically led to the downfall of popular governments. Madison expresses the concern that adversaries of liberty use these outcomes as the basis for persuasive arguments against democratic governance.