Federalist #51

What is essential to the "preservation of liberty?" How should this "be so constituted?

Each department should have a will of its own. Each department should be political independant of the others, i.e. each should have as little agency as possible in the appointment of the others.

Explain the following: "A dependant on the people is, no doubt, the primary control of the government; but experience has taught mankind the necessity of auxiliary precautions.

Elections are important to resist tyranny, but they are not enough. Other measures are needed. Madison goes on to describe the roles of separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism in this regard throughout the balance of this essay.

In a republic government, what branch of government is the strongest? Identify three ways of "remedying this inconveniency.

The legislature is the strongest.
- Dividing Congress
- Giving the two houses of Congress two different means of election,
- Fortifying the executive, e.g. with a veto

List two ways in which the federal system of the U.S. "places that system in a very interesting point of view," i.e., protects against tryanny

- In the "compound republic" of the US, power is divided between two distinct levels of government, i.e. state governments and the national government, and then each level in turn subdivides itself; hence a "double security"
- The multiplicity of interest

What is the general theme of this paper? Why is a theme important, according to the author?

A separation of powers is necessary prerequisite to limited constitutional government because a concentration of political power is inherently dangerous and will sooner or later lead to the abuse of power and to oppressive government

What are four elements of the separation of powers?

- the idea of three separate and independent branches of government;
- the realization that government performs different kinds of functions, and the belief that there are unique functions appropriate to each branch;
- the belief that the personnel of the

What does Madison mean by the statement, "Ambition must be made counteract ambition?

By pitting ambitions people against each other, they will counteract each other. For example, in a checks and balance system of government, if one branch tries to extend their powers, the other branch will step in and check their power

Is government (and its form) merely "the greatest of all reflections on human nature?" How so or why not?

Madison had a realistic view on mandkind. "If men were angels, no government would be necessary." Madison believed that mankind was prone to corruption and greed, but at the same time he saw virtue as well. He believed that the government would be the tru

What is the "great difficult" with government? Why?

Obviously government is not run by angels, so Madison argues that the problem is twofold:
- We must enable to government to control the governed (i.e. public safety issues - we need laws to prevent people from speeding, looting stores, etc.)

What does the author mean when he asserts that "the defect of better motives might be traced through the whole system of human affairs, private as well as public?

Madison believes that based on human nature, the government must be able to control the citizens. Human nature is to interact with one another, both in the private and public sector, therefore they must be able to work together to make the system work as

What does this say about human nature?

It reflections his distrust of mankind, but also his belief that they could work together to achieve goals

If what the author says is true about human nature, why are checks and balances of power necessary?

Because when power is granted, it is natural to want to expand that power. The system of checks and balances ensures that one branch of government can never have too much power over the other branch.

What checks are placed by the Constitution on the legislative branch?

The Legislature is broken into bicameral structure with both the House and the Senate having different functions and duties. Additionally, they serve different terms and have different requirements for serving.

Is indeed the legislative branch the most powerful branch of our national government today?

Many scholars could claim the Legislative branch is the most powerful branch based on the "necessary and proper clause" which allows Congress to do whatever is "necessary and proper" to fulfill their powers as stated in Constitution