Question

According to James Madison, the source of most factions is the

a. unequal distribution of property.
b. American political tradition of association.
c. system of separation of powers in the U.S.
d. spirit of individualism.
e. concept of majority rule.

Answer 1

James Madison believed the source of most factions was the unequal distribution of property, as he discussed in Federalist Paper No. 10, stating that a large republic could mitigate such factionalism.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to James Madison, the source of most factions is the unequal distribution of property. Madison elucidates this in his famous Federalist Paper No. 10, where he argues that factions, or groups of people sharing a common interest, often form around economic disparities and different ownership of property.

This condition, inherent in the structure of society, generates varying interests among different classes and inevitably leads to factionalism. Madison believed that a large republic, such as the one proposed by the U.S. Constitution, would better mitigate the dangers of factions compared to a small, direct democracy. Federalist #10 is considered a critical exposition of Madison's thoughts on the matter, emphasizing the idea that a large republic could control the effects of factions by balancing their interests.