Questions on Madison's Federalist Number 10:
1.
How does Madison define “faction?” What are some examples of factions today?
2.
What two methods cure the "mischiefs of faction," according to Madison? Why are these
remedies worse than the disease, according to Madison?
3.
What are the two methods of removing the causes of faction? Why are these remedies
worse than the disease, according to Madison?
4.
What are the causes of faction, according to Madison?
5.
According to Madison, what have theoretical politicians assumed regarding the benefits
of a pure democracy? Explain why you agree or disagree with Madison.
6.
Why does a republic do a better job of inhibiting the effects of a faction than a pure
democracy? Why does a large republic do a better job of controlling the effects of a
faction than a small republic?
7.
How does federalism provide the best combination for dealing with factions?
8.
What portions of Madison’s argument are the most persuasive? What are the least
persuasive?
9.
Does Madison have an optimistic or pessimistic view of human nature? How did this
viewpoint impact the drafting of the Constitution?
10.
How does Madison’s argument about the problems created by factions relate to political
problems in the US today? Do we have factions active in our political system today? Do
some of these factions have too much power?
Questions on Federalist #51
1.
What is the thesis of Federalist 51?
2.
What is meant by “if men were angels, no government would be necessary?”
3.
In a republican government, which branch is the strongest? Why? Identify three ways of
“remedying this inconveniency.”
4.
How are the rights of the minority protected?
5.
Why are large republics more capable of self-government?
6.
What are the three branches of government? How is the separation of powers between
the three branches assured?
7.
Which branch did Madison think would be the weakest?
8.
Which methods does Madison suggest to check the powers of government?
9.
Which branch appears as an exception to the separation of powers norm? Why is this
exception not dangerous?
10.
What is federalism? Explain the two ways in which the federal system of the U.S. “places
that system in a very interesting point of view,” i.e., protects against tyranny.
Federalist 78
1.
What is the thesis of Federalist 78?
2.
Explain why the judiciary branch is the least threat to constitutional rights.
3.
Identify two ways in which the legislative authority should be limited?
4.
What power will the judicial branch have over legislative acts?
5.
What happens when there are two existing statutes that clash in whole or in part with
each other?
6.
According to the author, what happens when a law conflicts with the Constitution?
7.
What should the tenure of the justices be if the courts are to be limited from
encroachments by the legislature?
8.
What is the author's attitude toward the proposed Supreme Court of the United States?
9.
Define Judicial Review.
10.
What is the source of power of the Judicial Branch?
11.
What major power does the courts hold?
12.
Who will protect those who face the spirit of the injustice?