The Founding Fathers: A Minorities In Action Analysis

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James Madison’s main argument is that factions are a problem in a well governed society, and that that a good republic should prevent the tyranny of the majority, and protect the rights of the minorities. The constitution of The United States, and The Federalist Papers both outline how a proper republic should be established, with strategies to limit the impact of factions, and create majority and minority rights. Michael Parenti wrote “The Constitution as an Elitist Document”, in which he argues against some of the points made in the Constitution and in the Federalist Papers. John Roche writes “The Founding Fathers: A Reform Caucus in Action”, he argues overwhelmingly in favor of Madison.
In Federalist Paper #10, Madison argues that the most important factor in the union is to control factions. A faction is a community of people that have a common passion or interest. He says …”none deserves more accurately developed than its tendency to break and control the violence of factions.” (Madison 1788). Madison believed that factions ruined the progress of a well ordered republic. Since members of the U.S. government are also in various factions, great conflict of interest is caused. Madison knows this, “The instability, injustice, and confusion introduced into the public
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The way to keep each department powerful …”consists in giving to those who administer each department the necessary motives to resist encroachment of the others.” (Madison 1788). Another prominent point that Madison makes is, if the majority powers of the common people are submitted to the government, the power must be secured doubly. Also, he says “In a free government the security for civil rights must be the same as that for religious rights.” (Madison 1788). Meaning, in American society the government should protect the rights of political and religious expression of all

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