The Dysfunction of American Politics: How the Debasement of the American Citizenry has Facilitated Political Chaos

Madison’s primary focus throughout the beginning of this paper is factions. He holds a deep disdain for them as he thinks that they solely focus on themselves, while hurting other Americans, which is evident in this quote, (“…united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adversed to the rights of other citizens, or to the

In “Federalist #10”, Madison describes the dangerous effects that factions can have on Republican government and on its people. Madison defines a faction as a group of citizens who unite under a shared cause, and work against other groups in order to achieve their means. Their means of achieving their goals may achieve adverse effects upon the rights of other citizens. Put in more modern terms, a faction could be reasonably compared to a special-interest group. The sort of faction that most endangers the liberty inherent in United States society are factions that contain a majority of the whole. The weakness of a popular government is its susceptibility to the effects of factions. However, a well-constructed Union provides numerous

To solve the problem of republican government in a nation as geographically vast and culturally and economically heterogeneous as the United States, the Federalists needed a political theory to combat this problem. Madison felt that factions posed the greatest danger to governments of the people. Through Federalist Paper No. 10, Madison described the effects and downsides to factions. In the paper he explains, the causes of faction cannot be removed; and that relief is only to be sought in the means of controlling its effects. Faction will counteract faction, and all of them will keep each other in check. The more factions there are, the more competition there is to keep them in check. Madison explained that there are two methods of curing

Not only did the Constitution guarantee the basic rights of all citizens, but also provided the right to become part of a widespread agreement with others. Within America’s government, the idea of factions has always been present, mainly through the two different political parties. Although the Founders of the Constitution did not plainly state these two

The danger of politics lead to the principal factor of checks and balances, within the government and Founding Fathers, throughout the “most crucial and consequential [decade] in American history” (27). Politics were also what lead to the quarrel between John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson.

Despite the fact the founding fathers advised contrary to the establishment of political factions as the Constitution withstood the ratification process, a rift amongst men in President George Washington’s cabinet instituted the move toward the conception of political party. During the time period between 1791 and 1833, a two-party system had begun that demonstrated the philosophy of the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans. Although these two political groups were unyielding in their original ideas and beliefs, both had to change a few of their initial standpoints on numerous topics as they dealt with the truth of the government.

The Federalist Papers Number 10 is written by James Madison and explains the necessity of the Constitution to protect our country from factions. A faction is “a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion or of interest, adverse to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent aggregate interests of the community (Publius, 72).” Publius states that there are two ways to get rid of factions. The first way to eliminate a faction is to take the Liberty away from all of the people in the faction. The other way to cure a faction is to give everyone the same opinion. Both of this solutions are not possible

Washington saw the countries dividing along political lines, and foresaw endangers of partisan affecting national unity. He urged the American people to avoid political parties, believing that it would lead to the “ruins of public liberty (50).” He strongly believed that the political parties had “served to distract… [and] agitate the Community will ill-founded jealousies and false alarms (51).” Washington exposed the intentions of political parties by saying, “The alternate domination” of one party over another will lead to a “frightful despotism (49).” In other words, hyperpartisan, influenced by a revenge seeking spirit, will hand over trust and absolute power to the

Today, politics vary drastically from what our Founding Fathers precedented in the genesis of the United States. September 19, marks the 208 anniversary of Washington’s Farewell Address, whether bad or for worse, George Washington’s insight is still relevant in today’s political stage of a dominant two political party platform. In George Washington’s Farewell Address, then former president Washington, states the possible weaknesses to unfold as a republic. The ideology of a political party with definite beliefs alters the opinions and pride held for the United States for the domination of one party. History within itself, has had multiple political parties for varying causes, however the split between the Democrats and Republicans, although

The United States began as a weak, newborn nation that grew into a large, self-supporting country with a governing body unique to this time period. As the government grew and the nation prospered, the rise of leaders and political figures came about and with this, conflicting principles and ideology spawned, thus creating the first of the political parties; the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans. Although the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans ideology and stances on the power of the federal government, domestic economic policies and the group of constituents they represented differed vastly, members of both parties often compromised their own beliefs for the nation’s best interest as a whole.

During the presidential terms of Jefferson and Madison, the political parties, the Federalists and Jeffersonian Republicans, were placed under confined characteristics with respect to the federal constitution. Jeffersonian Republicans were viewed as strict constructionists distinct from the broad Federalists. The accuracy of these specifics weakens. The Jeffersonian Republicans believed in strong state governments, a weak central government, and a strict connotation of the Constitution. Contrasting, The Federalists` beliefs of a powerful central government with weaker state governments, and a loose interpretation. The division between the Federalists and Republicans dims while Jefferson and Madison are in office. The pure ideals of Republicanism

Sidney Milkis argues that. FDR and his New Deal coalition, reforms were intended to liberate the chief executive from the constraints of partisan politics. Only weakening an already tenuous relationship, this isolation by FDR from what was once popular and institutional support from their party contributes to the decline of the party system and the process. It fashioned a stronger, more active national state, but one lacking in vital representative institutions capable of common deliberation and choice. Placing the issue in contemporary perspective, Milkis warns of the challenges ahead for a nation struggling to repair its frayed connection between government and people. Milkis also presents the question of whose party was actually in

The Framer’s notion of a republic, or democratic republic form of government, rested on the necessity to limit the formation and success of factions. Yet, as Dahl argued, the irony of Madison’s aversions to factions is that, not long after the ratification of the

Today, our nation 's democracy is unarguably only alive on a small scale. Much of America 's population, does not uphold a civic role that consistently supplements a successful democracy. Corruption of democracy stems directly from Americans not being able to actively take responsibility for their own society or their own futures. As a result of individuals lacking responsibility in various ways, flaws in our society continue to define everything we are as part of America. Everyone in the country can uphold simple civic responsibilities, without deviating from daily routine. By misunderstanding patriotism, not participating in the government, causing tension between ideologies, and ignoring the significance of community, we are not

The Federalist Papers provide priceless insight into the spirits of both human government and human nature. In fact, The Federalist Papers repeatedly acknowledge a basic truth of human existence: humans are naturally selfish, hostile, and full of such characteristics that hinder the continuation of peaceful, harmonious existence. The corruption of the human race permeates even the strongest governments, as history has shown time and again. Ironic as it is, governments must take precautions to guard themselves, even from their very own members, from the very thing that all governments are meant to remedy: the shortcomings of human nature. The means by which The Federalists