American Political TheoryErik Rankin – POL 265

Federalist 10 & 51

The Federalist Papers• Why study?• They fulfill 2 purposes

– To understand the American context– Transcend American political context

• History of papers– Collection of 85 pieces– Written in defense of the Constitution– Oct. 1787 – Aug. 1788 targeting NY

the crucial 9th state– Federalists? Discuss notion of word

• Were the AF more federalist? Wow!

– Authors – Hamilton, Madison, Jay– Signed Publius

The Federalist Papers• Federalist 10 deals with

factions and is written by Madison

• Faction- group of united people that have a passion that is adverse to other citizens

• Factions are fueled by irrationality, emotions, and self interest.– Highly explosive self interest!

• Factionalism actually traces its roots in theory to Aristotle Politics Book V

The Federalist Papers• Aristotle believes faction comes by

– Inequalities• Real or believed• 3 classes in society

1. Aristocracy - Noble2. Oligarchy - Wealthy3. Democracy – poor/many

– In our context we use 2 &3– We have a different context of equality– Olio-rule of money & Demo- rule of

numbers– Justice and equality are relative to your

class position– Each group feels justice is on their side– These factions have passion, desire,

and self interest– Built in tension between Olio & Demo– To hold this together the middle needs

to be as large as possible

The Federalist Papers• Madison is an astute follower of

this Aristotelian vision (theory)• Fed. #10 argues that the

Constitution will bring factionalism under control

• 2 ways to deal with factions– Eliminate Causes & Control Effects– Diagram

• Eliminate cause– Take away opinions – give all the

same opinions• Impractical, different self interests• Difference is natural• It is the govt. job to protect opinion• Self defeating

The Federalist Papers• Control Effects

– Reduce opinions• Compromise (small republic)

– very difficult in a small republic setting because of existing power relations

• More factions (large republic)– they tend to balance each other out– Hard to bring them together– Tyranny of majority becomes less likely; too

many to get on the same stage

– Why are large republics better?• Harder to get things done• Few laws get passed (difficult for all to

agree)• Madison likes gridlock• What about the common good?• With all of these factions, how do you

know what the common good is?• Deliberation and citizen involvement are

real problems in a large republic setting

The Federalist Papers• Federalist #51 written by

Madison as well• Checks and Balances paper• View of human nature- govt.

itself is a reflection of human nature– People are incapable of

controlling their self love– Human nature is deeply flawed– Madison undermines his own

credibility by his human nature argument

– Why trust him?– Could the framers be seen as a

faction? Journal entry!

The Federalist Papers• For the sake of liberty there

must be a separation of powers• Logic is the multiplication of

factions• States may be seen as the 4th

branch of government (diagram)– Example: ERA struck down by states

• 2 concepts of liberty (Isaiah Berlin)– Positive Liberty – has something to

do with creating unity and doing something

– Negative Liberty – being left alone– Which do we use? Journal Entry

Journal Entry • Could the framers be seen as a

faction?• Which type of liberty do we use

and why?