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Federalist Paper 51--James Madison

If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither
external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is
to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: You must first enable the
government to control the governed; and in the next place, oblige it to control itself.
For Discussion
1. What is the difficulty the framers faced when designing a new government?
2. What would you say was Madison's general opinion of people in government: angels? devils? What
events may have influenced him under the articles of confederation?

1 Answer

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Answer:

1. The difficulty the framers faced when designing a new government, as expressed by James Madison in Federalist Paper 51, was how to create a system that effectively governs the people while also preventing abuses of power. The challenge was to strike a balance between granting enough authority to the government to maintain order and protect the rights of the people, while also ensuring that the government itself does not become tyrannical or oppressive. It was necessary to establish a system of checks and balances that would enable the government to control the governed and, at the same time, restrain the government from overstepping its boundaries.

1. James Madison's general opinion of people in government, as implied in the excerpt, was that they are not angels. He recognized that humans are fallible and susceptible to self-interest, which could lead to abuses of power if left unchecked. Madison understood that even those in positions of authority could be driven by ambition, personal gain, or other negative motivations. His opinion reflected a realistic assessment of human nature and the potential for corruption and abuse of power.

Under the Articles of Confederation, the first governing document of the United States, Madison witnessed the weaknesses and inefficiencies of a weak central government. The lack of a strong national authority, combined with the inability to address crucial issues effectively, such as regulating commerce and resolving disputes between states, influenced Madison's perspective. These experiences likely contributed to his belief in the necessity of a stronger federal government with appropriate checks and balances to prevent the concentration of power and protect the rights of individuals.

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