Final answer:
James Madison's saying "If men were angels, no government would be necessary" implies that due to inherent human imperfections, government is essential to manage self-interest and conflicts in society. This belief shapes his advocacy for a republican government with checks and balances to balance power and achieve justice, drawing from Montesquieu's work and paving the way for modern Liberal ideas about public life and self-interest.
Step-by-step explanation:
When James Madison stated, "If men were angels, no government would be necessary," he was commenting on the intrinsic nature of mankind. Madison was suggesting that humans are inherently flawed and not purely virtuous, like angels might be; therefore, they require governance. This commentary stems from his view that without a government, there would be no way to manage the self-interest and the potential conflicts that arise when people live in society. It highlights the need for structured authority to maintain order and provide justice within a civil society.
Madison's insight into the nature of mankind also affects his views on how government should operate. Because of human imperfections, he argues that government itself requires checks and balances as a means to control those who govern and prevent them from abusing their power. These ideas are foundational to his support for a republican government, which would include a system of representation and a division of powers to ensure that no single individual or group could dominate the others. Through these structures, the government can harness self-interest in a way that promotes the overall good of the society rather than leading to corruption.
Madison also recognizes the importance of justice as the ultimate goal of government and society. He draws from Montesquieu's The Spirit of the Laws as a philosophical foundation for his belief in a government structured to prevent tyranny and protect the rights of minorities against the majority. His views represent a shift from a traditional Republican vision to a more modern Liberal one, where self-interest plays a necessary role in public life and contributes to the betterment of government.