Federalist No. 51

What is the major point or theme Madison is making in Federalist 51?

• He advocates separation of powers within the National government and a means by which appropriate checks and balances can be created in government

• He discusses the danger of factions and how a large republic is much more advantageous than a small republic

• He argues in favor of the Unitary Executive created by Article II of the United States Constitution which is necessary to ensure accountability in government

• He discusses the power of Judicial Review and that federal courts have the duty to determine whether acts of Congress are constitutional

According to Madison, what is the difficulty in framing a government which is administered by men over men?

• You must allow the legislative branch to pass laws which will put various limits on people's civil liberties

• The difficulty is that you must create a government that is unitary in nature where most of the power rests with the national government

• You must first enable the government to control the governed; and then oblige it to control itself

• You must allow the leaders of the nation to do whatever is needed to make the nation strong and powerful

What does Madison say is one remedy to ensure that the _________________ branch, the strongest branch, does not abuse its power?

• Legislative: dividing Congress giving the houses two different means of election as well as fortifying the Executive with veto power

• Executive: giving Congress the ability to remove the President after an impeachment as well as the ability to override a presidential veto

• Judicial: giving the President the power to not only appoint federal judges but also remove them if they do not act in good faith

Explain the following statement in the context of Madison's argument: "If men were angels, no government would be necessary......"

• Government is not the end to the means but rather the means to the end

• A direct democracy is the most efficient way to govern

• The nation would function more efficiently if religion played a big part in its governing

• Men abuse power and therefore need to be kept in check

In Madison's opinion each branch should be

• mostly independent

• completely independent with no overlap

• responsible for selecting members of the other branches

• maintained by one common interest

"Ambition must be made to counteract ambition. The interest of the man must be connected with the constitutional rights of the place. It may be a reflection on human nature that such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of government."

In the above quote my Madison in Federalist 51 what does he mean by such devices?

• The Bill of Rights

• Checks and balances

• A large republic with an unlimited number of factions

• Constitutional provisions