Federalist paper number 51

Federalist Paper No. 51

James Madison argues how checks and balances can not only advocate a separation of powers but also create an effective government. Madison writes to help his readers understand how a well structured government can lead to a successful country. One of his main arguments is that no branch should have too much power, therefore, different branches of government should exist. "Legislative, judiciary magistracies should be drawn from the same fountain of authority, the people, through canals having no communication whatever with one another." To assure greater independence, government is separated into the Legislative Branch, the House of the Representatives and the Senate. He states "Ambition must be made to counteract ambition." meaning the ambitions of legislators must be checked by the executive and judicial branch which is then checked by the ambitions of legislators and presidents. This separation of powers advocated the idea of compromise. Madison also asserts that the members of each branch should not be too dependent on the members of the other two branches. If a man is presented with too much power, it may rule over him. Madison states "If men were angels, no government would be necessary. " The government must control the people but control itself as well. While the will of the people is no doubt the primary control on the government, other controls are necessary. A separation of powers helps prevent anyone gaining too much power however Madison argues power must not be divided equally. In a republican form of government the legislative branch is the most powerful, and therefore must be divided into two different branches. These two branches, the House of Representatives and the Senate, must remain separate and have different principles of action. While protecting against the oppression of rulers is important it is also important to guard against the injustice of groups or citizens. Madison acknowledges that factions, majorities over powering minorities, will always be present. One way is to prevent the effects of factions is to create a powerful, divided government. "The different governments will control each other, at the same time that each will be controlled by itself." By constructing a strong government, an authoritative figure can control the simple majority and protect the minority. However, to prevent a biased government advocated one majority, the authority to govern comes from the will of the people. The will of the people is divided into separate factions holding different views. "Society itself will be broken into so many parts, interests and classes of citizens that the rights of individuals or of the minority will be in little danger from interested combinations of the majority”. The various number of sects will obstruct a majority from dominating. Similarly, one branch of government cannot overrule the other branches because of varying opinions and ideas. Madison concludes that self-government prospers in large countries containing different groups, "it lie within a practical sphere, the more duly capable it will be of self-government."