Federalist #10 document analysis
Thesis:
In Federalist 10, James Madison argues a large republic with a strong, central government is
best because it is able to mitigate the dangers imposed by factions.
Evidence:
Compared to a true democracy, a republican style of government is less likely to create
opportunities for large factions to dominate small ones due to more protections and processes
ensuring that. In the central government itself, it would be difficult for one faction to gain too
much influence because in a larger country, there will be more factions, which means it is less
likely for one faction to have too much power because the people are not likely to ever agree on
something to that volume. There will be more factions because there will be more people, which
means more ideas and opinions. A large number of factions forces compromise because of the
singular nature of the government. Madison suggests limiting the power of factions through a
larger central government because a very populated, diverse, large country will be less likely to
have an overly dominating faction, an idea called the extended sphere.
Application:
The ideas presented in Federalist #10 had huge impacts in later politics. The two party system
came from efforts to prevent a single party dominating politics. Political parties, like Democrats
and Republicans, each represent diverse ideas and opinions, preventing any party from gaining
too much power, just like Madison predicted. Furthermore, the ideas presented about protecting
minorities have been applicable throughout the United States’ history. Civil rights, the electoral
college, and other laws and practices have been put in place to protect minority groups, whether
they are based on race, opinions, or any other defining traits. In Federalist #10, Madison is also
aware of the dangers presented by a large republic, and ideas were directly implemented into
the constitution to ensure that no one part of the government can become tyrannical. For
example, the system of checks and balances ensures that no branch of government can be
completely overpowered.