If Men Were Angels
In The Federalist, James Madison addresses the age-old problem of reconciling democracy and political power. He makes the following quote, "If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself."
In the quote, Madison 's argues that human nature is less than angelic. Madison considers a government that operates as a monopoly, while also extracting tribute from the residents of the territory it controls. Madison believes that if we all are angels, no state would be necessary, and if angels were the governors, they would require neither internal nor external constraints to ensure that they governed justly. Madison believes that because men are not angels, having a government entity is the best conceivable choice.
Madison believed that government entities should operate its constitutional rights and laws with the interest of man. The government should be a reflection of human nature, and its citizens should always try to control the abuses of government. Examples, of governments that try to effectively uphold the practices of operating its constitutional rights and laws with the interest of man include the United States and Great Britain.
For example, a recent political event that illustrates the United States commitment to operating its government in a manner that reflects human nature is when President Barack Obama sent predator combat drones as well as, twenty five million dollars to the rebel army in Libya (Hannah 2011). President Obama did this to aid the residents in Libya in their uprising to protest the corrupt practices of the government. President Obama realized that Libya residents are trying to control the abuses of their
In the quote, Madison 's argues that human nature is less than angelic. Madison considers a government that operates as a monopoly, while also extracting tribute from the residents of the territory it controls. Madison believes that if we all are angels, no state would be necessary, and if angels were the governors, they would require neither internal nor external constraints to ensure that they governed justly. Madison believes that because men are not angels, having a government entity is the best conceivable choice.
Madison believed that government entities should operate its constitutional rights and laws with the interest of man. The government should be a reflection of human nature, and its citizens should always try to control the abuses of government. Examples, of governments that try to effectively uphold the practices of operating its constitutional rights and laws with the interest of man include the United States and Great Britain.
For example, a recent political event that illustrates the United States commitment to operating its government in a manner that reflects human nature is when President Barack Obama sent predator combat drones as well as, twenty five million dollars to the rebel army in Libya (Hannah 2011). President Obama did this to aid the residents in Libya in their uprising to protest the corrupt practices of the government. President Obama realized that Libya residents are trying to control the abuses of their
Citations: BBC News. (2004, November 18). Living in somalia 's anarchy . Retrieved from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4017147.stm BBC News. (2011, May 17). Somalia country profile . Retrieved from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1072592.stm Blanford, Nicholas. (2011, April 09). Can the syrian regime divide and conquer its opposition? . Time Magazine , 177(13), Retrieved from http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2064214,00.html Taylor, Hannah. (2011, April 27). Obama gives libyan fund for rebels. Retrieved from http://www.inunews.com/obama-libyan-fund-rebels/4133.html