Final answer:
James Madison believed human nature could be self-interested but also rational, and that government should reflect this by implementing a system of checks and balances to ensure justice. He favored republicanism over pure democracy, arguing it was better suited to manage the flaws of human nature and protect individual liberties.
Step-by-step explanation:
James Madison had a complex view of human nature, believing that while humans have the capacity for self-interest, this could be channeled into a positive force within the framework of government. Contrary to many conservatives of his time who viewed human nature as inherently bad or depraved, Madison saw government as a reflection of human nature - meaning that the structures and operations of government can both exhibit and mitigate the flaws and virtues of humanity. Madison's political theory, influenced by Montesquieu, posited that a system of checks and balances would preserve liberty by ensuring justice within the state.
When Madison speaks about the government being 'nothing but a reflection of human nature,' he implies that the government's structure and behavior are ultimately determined by the characteristics and behaviors of the individuals who compose and interact with it. This is based on the enlightenment idea of the social contract, as advocated by philosophers like John Locke, who believed in a state of nature characterized by individual freedoms that a just government must protect.
Madison recommended a form of government known as republicanism over pure democracy, arguing that a republic could better accommodate the diversity of the country and mitigate the flaws of human nature by having elected representatives rather than direct rule by the populace. His arguments in the Federalist Papers highlighted the dangers of factionalism and the importance of a large republic to combat the effects of factions and protect individual liberties.