FEDERALIST PAPER NO. 10 AND ITS INFLUENCE BEHIND THE .../James... · perpustakaan.uns.ac.id digilib.uns.ac.id JAMES MADISON’S POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY FEDERALIST PAPER NO. 10 AND SURAKARTA

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JAMES MADISON’S POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY IN

FEDERALIST PAPER NO. 10 AND ITS INFLUENCE BEHIND

THE MAKING OF US CONSTITUTION

THESIS

Submitted as a Partial Fulfillment of Requirement for the

Sarjana Sastra Degree at the English Department

Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts

Sebelas Maret University

By:

PUSPA HANANDHITA

C0305056

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

FACULTY OF LETTERS AND FINE ARTS

SEBELAS MARET UNIVERSITY

SURAKARTA

2012


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PRONOUNCEMENT

Name : Puspa Hanandhita

NIM : C0305056

I hereby stated wholeheartedly that I write the thesis entitled “James Madison’s

Political Philosophy in Federalist Paper no. 10 and Its Influence behind the Making of US

Constitution.” It is not a plagiarism nor made by others. The things related to other people‟s

works are written in the quotations and included in bibliography.

If it is then proved that I cheat, I am ready to take the responsibilities, including the

withdrawal of my academic degree.

Surakarta, May 4th

2012

Puspa Hanandhita


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MOTTO

“We can know only that we know nothing. And that is the highest

degree of human wisdom.” –Leo Tolstoy

“I can never read all the books I want; I can never be all the people I

want and live all the lives I want. I can never train myself in all the

skills I want. And why do I want? I want to live and feel all the

shades, tones and variations of mental and physical experience

possible in life. And I am horribly limited.” –Sylvia Plath

“In the world we live in, what we know and what we don't know are

like Siamese twins, inseparable, existing in a state of confusion.”

–Haruki Murakami

“It happened..” –James Madison


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DEDICATION

For Mama

and

Puspa Hanandhita


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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Alhamdulillahirabbil ‘alamin..

I would like to thank mainly to Allah SWT, for all of His blessings and mercy. I would

also like to thank many people who had supported her in working on thesis. Those special people

are:

1. Drs. Riyadi Santosa, M.A as the Dean of Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts of Sebelas

Maret University for the approval of this thesis.

2. Drs.Agus Hari Wibowo, M.A., Ph.D. as the head of English Department, for giving the

chance and trust to conduct this thesis.

3. Taufik Al Makmun, S.S as academic supervisor, thank you for the assistance during my

period of study, as well as the opportunity for uniting me and my teammates as debaters.

4. Thesis supervisor, Dra. Susilorini, M.A, for trusting me, encouraging me, and for her

patience in helping me out with this thesis. Her objectivity, patience, and her hard work

in supervising my work are such an incredible inspiration. Without her supervision, my

thesis would be like RMS Titanic crashed into the iceberg.

5. All English Department lecturers as well as staffs that I cannot mention one by one here,

thank you. Thank you for all of your supports, inspirations, lessons, and everything you

have shared to me and friends. Those are valuable. Bu Fitria Akhmerti Primasita, I just

want you to know that I love and afraid of you, and you have inspired me so much to

embrace my debater nature in defending my ideas.


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6. James Madison. I feel like crying mentioning your name now. Why were you so smart?

Why didn‟t you share half of your intellectuality to modern Homo sapiens like me so I

could finish this thesis sooner and got a Nobel in return? Nevertheless, thank you for

existing, Sir. I hope I can capture your thoughts well here.

7. My dearest family. Papa, Mama, thank you for the patience, supports and shelter. I will

not be able to stand still in this world without your supports and guidance. I will make

you proud, I promise. My brothers Damas Adi Prasetyo and Danang Dewantoro, thank

you for somewhat keeping the smile in my face, being good brothers and teach me how

to be responsible. All of my cats, I seriously cannot forget them, as they become the only

living source of entertainment when I feel completely lonely. They make me smile.

8. Thank you Adnan Rifanadhi, for all life lessons you‟ve shared. I will be forever thankful.

I love you. Please keep my heart in a safe place.

9. Festiana Niyanti, you‟re like a personal shrink for me. Thank you for keeping me sane.

Thank you for being a thoughtful listener, for putting up with all the weirdness in me. I

love you. Agung Wicaksono, thank you for nursing me, for being a great conversation

partner, providing sources to learn politics 101. Nurul Istiningdyahadi Triadanti, Masyhur

Aziz Hilmy, Ishmah Zahratunnisa, thank you so much for being there, now and then.

Entertaining me, helping me to laugh whenever I get sad.

10. Rizky Adi Yanuasari, thank you for providing me insights and suggestions, encouraging

me to be better and for the inspirations. Dian Catur Prasetyaningtyas, thank you for being

a sweet, loving friend. I will forever admire your patience. Yogi Rohim Aryani, thank

you for being a good listener and a good friend. Your sentimental heart needs to be


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shown, amigo. All my friends from the very beginning. People whom I assume will never

leave me no matter how difficult the situation can be. I love you.

11. Friends of my batch, English Department 2005. Sonny, Arih, Hemy, Nunik, Mulyani,

everyone. I don‟t mean to leave any of you here, but what you know is, you are all

always in my heart. Thank you for the memory, for all togetherness we shared. Also,

many thanks to Rena „Herald‟ Aprilia, Ferrial Pondrafi, mas Itok, dek Vika, Diajeng

Triastari, Mbak Esti, Nurul Kh., Ardianus Ichsan, Reny Puspitasari, I‟m afraid the list

will be longer; so to sum up, thank you everyone for being there for me, teaching me

patience, persistence, and give me more courage to survive.

12. Tiemi Tamura, Emily Spencer, Stephanie Gerngross, Alice Katindig, Kaysee Dayvina

Leong, Sheena Chua. Thank you so much for being such great friends. We haven‟t met

yet, but one day we will! Thank you Kaysee for your book presents, Alice and Stephy,

thank you so much for the help with JSTOR journals you two are the best!

13. Thank you for my inspiration, Sylvia Plath and Haruki Murakami. You two color my

bland and empty soul.

I hope this thesis will be beneficial for other scholars who want to study more about

American Studies, especially in American Government and History. I welcome any form

of suggestions and criticisms related to this research, for the sake of improvement. Thank

you.

Surakarta, May 4th

2012

Puspa Hanandhita


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BIBLIOGRAPHY…………………………………………………………………. 94


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ABSTRACT

Puspa Hanandhita. C0305056. 2012. James Madison’s Political Philosophy in Federalist Paper

no. 10 and Its Influence behind the Making of US Constitution. Undergraduate thesis.

Surakarta. English Department. Faculty of Letters and Fine Arts. Sebelas Maret University.

There were many founding fathers playing important role in shaping this Constitution,

but Madison appeared to be one of the most influential figures. Pinned as the Father of

Constitution, he wrote several scribbles to accompany him to the Constitutional Convention in

Philadelphia and suggested that the Articles of Confederation must be replaced with the whole

new Constitution and better governmental system. What are James Madison‟s political

philosophy revealed in Federalist Paper no. 10? How does United States Constitution realize

James Madison‟s political philosophy? There were only few studies about US Constitution and

Madison‟s role in convincing US founding fathers to ratify the Constitution. How his ideas

helped the US to have the new established government through the shaping of Constitution. This

is what this research is conducted for.

This research is a descriptive qualitative research that uses historical records and facts

happened around the Constitutional Convention, before and after. This research uses Federalist

Paper no. 10 as well as the Constitution of the United States as main data in observing Madison‟s

political philosophy. This research involves discovering the significance of James Madison‟s

political philosophy behind the Constitution making. Several approaches have been used in this

research. Those approaches are historical, biographical, political, and philosophical approaches.

Madison‟s political philosophy stated on Federalist Paper no. 10 brings further

implications toward United States‟ political system. From the analysis, it can be concluded that

Madison‟s political philosophies stated in Federalist Paper no. 10 are: the nature of faction (the

state of nature), people‟s different faculties, and extended republican government as the fittest

form for United States. Some ideas of Madison‟s are being referred in the Constitution of U.S.,

particularly the idea of extended republican government.


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ABSTRAK

Puspa Hanandhita. C0305056. 2012. Filosofi Politik James Madison dalam Federalist Paper

no. 10 dan Pengaruhnya Di Balik Pembuatan Undang-Undang Amerika Serikat.Skripsi.

Sastra Inggris, Fakultas Sastra dan Seni Rupa, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta.

Banyak pendiri negara berperan penting dalam pembentukan Undang-Undang Amerika

Serikat, tapi James Madison muncul sebagai figur yang penting. Diberi gelar sebagai Bapak

Konstitusi Amerika, Madison menulis beberapa catatan yang menemani perjalanannya dalam

Konvensi Undang-Undang di Philadelphia dan menyarankan agar Undang-Undang Konfederasi

(Articles of Confederation) harus digantikan oleh Undang-Undang baru dengan sistem

pemerintahan yang lebih baik. Apakah filosofi politik James Madison dalam Federalist Paper no.

10? Bagaimana Undang-Undang Amerika Serikat merealisasikan filosofi politik James

Madison? Hanya terdapat beberapa studi mengenai Undang-Undang Amerika Serikat dan peran

Madison dalam mempengaruhi para pendiri Amerika untuk meratifikasi Undang-Undang

tersebut. Bagaimana ide-ide James Madison membantu Amerika Serikat agar mereka

mempunyai pemerintahan yang kokoh melalui pembentukan Undang-Undang; dan dengan

tujuan tersebutlah skripsi ini ditulis.

Skripsi ini merupakan penelitian deskriptif kualitatif yang menggunakan catatan sejarah

dan fakta-fakta yang terjadi sekitar Konvensi Undang-Undang, sebelum dan sesudahnya.Skripsi

ini menggunakan Federalist Paper no. 10 dan juga Undang-Undang Amerika Srikat sebagai

sumber data dalam mempelajari filosofi politik James Madison. Skripsi ini juga menemenukan

signifikansi dari filosofi politik James Madison di balik proses pembuatan Undang-Undang

Amerika Serikat. Beberapa pendekatan digunakan dalam skripsi ini. Pendekatan-pendekatan

tersebut adalah pendekatan sejarah, pendekatan biografi, pendekatan politik, dan pendekatan

filosofis. Filosofi politik james Madison membawa pengaruh besar pada Undang-Undang

Amerika Serikat. Dari analisis data dapat disimpulkan bahwa filosofi politik James Madison

yang disebut dalam Federalist Paper no. 10 adalah: keadaan alamiah dari faksi (keadaan alamiah

manusia), perbedaan kemampuan manusia, dan ekstensi republik sebagai bentuk pemerintahan

yang sesuai bagi Amerika Serikat. Beberapa ide Madison dijadikan sebagai referensi dalam

Undang-Undang Amerika Serikat utamanya dari ide ekstensi republik.


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CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

A. Research Background

What makes a nation great is its history. How countries survive through trials

and errors, and finally settle. So does United States. It has long remarkable history

until becomes the superpower, dominating country. The Constitution of United States

certainly becomes the fundamental asset in supporting this nation. Although facing

series of amendments, this constitution is still able to serve the need of the people,

and endure for two centuries since it was conceptualized by the framers. It has guided

the evolution of governmental institutions and has provided the basis for political

stability, individual freedom, economic growth, and social progress. The Constitution

of the United States is the supreme US law since it provides the framework for the

working of the US government. It has become the world‟s oldest written constitution

in force, the one that becomes the model for all constitutions around the world. It

consists of a preamble, seven articles, and twenty seven amendments. The

Constitution remains durable and endures for two centuries for its simplicity and

flexibility. It was designed in the late 18th

century to provide framework in governing

4 million people in 13 different states.

The basic idea that became the foundation in shaping the constitution was the

expectation of US founding fathers to have effective national government as well as

to grant the need of the people. They hoped to create a strong national government


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which in the same time, not hampering people‟s liberty. Politically-aware people at

that time mostly came from upper-class society. US Constitution was drafted by US‟

elite groups, “The conduct of politics at both the state and national levels was largely

an elite affair with participation in public office dominated by a few people on

powerful families.” (Hrebenar et al., 1998). But here in the Preamble of the

Constitution, they wrote “We, the People of United States” indicating that they tried

to communicate to the US common men, as the people under the same nationality.

Without the approval of the people of the United States, this Constitution could not

be ratified, and revolution would become the result. Therefore the Framers use the

terminology “We are the people of United States” in order to create a sense that they

wrote this Constitution not as an elite group, but as the common men; in the name of

all common people.

After winning the war from Britain, the young nation decided to organize the

Continental Congress, which in 1776 appointed two committees—one to draft the

Declaration of Independence and the other to prepare a “form of confederation”

among the colonies. The states finally had the Articles of Confederation which served

only as the league of friendship of the states. It did not give any political binding

between the federal government to the states. Consequently, the states remained

having self-independent governments. This type of political arrangement caused a

chaotic condition when it came to national-level of economic problem. Congress had

no power in imposing taxes from the states. In 1780s, Congress could not deal with a

serious national problem such as the repayment of about $40 million in domestic debt


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and $12 million in foreign debts incurred during the American Revolution (1775-

1783). States also incurred about $25 million in debt during the war. Small creditors

including soldiers who had lent their money during the Revolutionary War were

starving for cash since the states were too slow to repay. The Federal government

could not do anything dealing with this problem, because they had no political rights

in controlling other states. As a matter-of-fact, the unequal amount of Congressional

membership supported the nation‟s depression. It made each state had equal power,

and let them reject national policies which did not favor them.

Such political condition at that time initiated the framers to create the next

level of discussion, in order to find the most suitable system of governance. Each of

the States‟ representation decided to meet again in Annapolis, Maryland, in May

1786. They discussed about trading issues as well as other issues. Unfortunately, only

5 states sent their delegations. “One of the delegates, Alexander Hamilton convinced

his colleagues that commerce was too much bound up with other political and

economic questions, and that situation was too serious to be dealt with by so

unrepresentative a body.” (Cincotta, 1994, p. 87). Therefore, they decided to adjourn

their discussion and tried to arrange another meeting in Philadelphia. This final

meeting at Philadelphia would be the crux of the long debate of Constitution

ratification. Each state had their representatives on this meeting except Rhode Island.

From 74 delegates who had been appointed, 55 attended. Patrick Henry (later on

known as the leader of the Anti-Federalist group) refused to come since he feared that

the meeting would legitimate and create too strong national government. The other 18


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delegations either could not attend the meeting or refused to attend.

The Constitutional Convention began on May 25, 1787, when a quorum of delegates

arrived at Philadelphia‟s Independence Hall, then known as the Pennsylvania State

House. The distinguished gathering brought together nearly all of the nation‟s most

prominent men, including George Washington, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton,

and the ailing Benjamin Franklin.

The creation of the Constitution entailed hours of debate and compromise, and

even when it was completed, some delegates were unhappy with it. The task

of fixing the ailing Confederate government was not complete yet; each state

had to ratify, or approve, the Constitution. Basically, people divided into two

groups, the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists (Chin & Stern, 1997, par.1).

The era of philosophical battle in United States then officially opened by the

existence of such differences in deciding constitutional platform: whether or not the

US Constitution should include the Bill of Rights. Each of the conflicting sides tried

to argue if inserting Bill of Rights to the Constitution was philosophically accepted,

to protect the rights of the people.

The Constitution had to be ratified by nine states in order to make it legally

effective. At that time, ratification of the Constitution was nearly failed. In addition to

the Anti-Federalist, many people began to doubt the Constitution since it did not

include the Bill of Rights which guarantees people‟s rights. Finally after series of

battles in state conventions, the Constitution was ratified by promising to amend it.

We cannot only analyze either what Constitution actually is, or how

Constitution was finally ratified at that time. We need to examine who were the

people behind the making of this „sacred‟ document. In analyzing artifact of historical


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event, we need to understand more about how it was shaped by the philosophical

thinking of the people of the era. Studying historical document is not a mere study of

reading the document; it also understanding historical sequences, philosophical

background of the makers as well as the society at that time.

The main idea in creating this constitution was in order to create a strong

elected government, directly responsive to the will of the people.

The concept of self-government did not originate with the Americans, indeed,

a measure of self-government existed in England at the time. But the degree to

which Constitution committed the United States to rule by the people was

unique, even revolutionary, in comparison with other governments around the

world. (Targonski, 2000, p. 8)

Constitution of United States is more than just a symbol. It is supreme and

binding law that both grants and limits powers. In Federalist Paper no. 51, James

Madison as one of the US Constitution drafter mentioned that “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.” The Constitution enables the government to

control the governed as well as enables the ruled to check the rulers. James Madison

also noted in the same series of Paper, “If men were angels, no government would be

necessary.” This statement indicates that however, men need to be ruled in order to

guarantee that each people‟s need is not being hampered by one another. Therefore,

the existence of Constitution is used to be the guideline of American political system,

in what way this nation should be operated and how.

In this research, the researcher takes the significance of James Madison‟s

political philosophy in supporting Constitution ratification as the main focus. Since


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James Madison was one of America‟s founding fathers who worked for the

Constitution ratification, and was awarded as the father of Constitution as well

therefore James Madison‟s political philosophy is drawn in the Constitution itself.

Madison was one of the first delegates to arrive in Philadelphia for the

Constitutional Convention, three weeks before the convention opened. He

came equipped with two papers he had written earlier that spring, a Study of

Ancient and Modern Confederacies; and Vices of the Political System of the

United States, drawn from his comprehensive reading and his eleven years of

experience in government. When his fellow delegates from Virginia arrived,

Madison was ready to outline for them his plan of government. (James

Madison. (2008) In Microsoft® Encarta® 2009)

James Madison already made the conception of how should a good

government be on his two writings in an „Ancient and Modern Confederacies‟ and

„Vices of the Political System of the United States‟. Those two works are James

Madison‟s notes in analyzing the political situations of United States at that period. It

contains his political ideas and thoughts in shaping good governance which he

thought would be applicable in United States.

James Madison was awarded the title as „The Father of Constitution‟ for some

reasons. He fought for the Constitution ratification from drafting, until the time he

had to write series of Federalist Papers defending The Constitution from being

amended along with his partners, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay.

Understanding America means understanding what makes this nation able to

survive. Survive in serving the need of the people, running the government based on

fixed political agreement of the people once as written in the Constitution.

Constitution of United States is not merely a historical artifact; it is an evidence of


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how this nation stands until now. James Madison was one of the Constitution drafter

who played important role in the making of the Constitution. He wrote his

philosophical thoughts in Federalist Paper no. 10, „Ancient and Modern

Confederacies‟ and „Vices of the Political System of the United States‟ which

contained his political ideas in analyzing the suitable form of government for United

States. In collaboration with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay, James Madison wrote

Federalist papers. This set of essays is a classic of political theory and a thorough

exposition of the republican principles that dominated the framing of the

Constitution. From Federalist Paper no. 10 itself, James Madison gained popularity as

he wrote his thoughts why the nation needed to ratify Constitution.

Best known from its later appearance as The Federalist no. 10, Madison‟s

theory of extended republic is the argument from the Founding most often

anthologized, taught, studied, and remembered in this century. In Federalist Paper no.

10, James Madison did not merely talk about the basic foundation of factional life. He

also offered the nation, possible way in controlling the damage that might be caused

by faction, by having extended republican system. In the end, we should link back to

Federalist Paper no. 10‟s purpose which was defending the Constitution ratification,

and as a medium to explain and convince the people of United States to ratify the

Constitution. The purpose of this paper was reached by convincing the people of New

York that they need to gather as one and being ruled by solid government with clear

purpose and task division. Young United States of America needed strong

government under the Constitution to operate better, moreover to deal with internal


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issues like factional life at that time. Thus, founders needed US people to work as

one, accepting and ratifying The Constitution of United States.

What we need to clarify first is that Federalist Paper no. 10 is not about

banning all sorts of factional life or discouraging faction itself, but on how to

synchronize faction which based on people‟s different interest, and national integrity.

Through this paper, James Madison successfully elaborated his ideas in promoting

republican government with extended republic system. Targonski (2000) stated

“Madison‟s 29 letters (along with no. 10) have proved to be the most memorable

combination of frankness, balance, and reasoning power.” Therefore in the end

Federalist Paper no. 10 supports the success of The Federalist Papers as a whole, and

this can be seen through New York people‟s supports in Constitution ratification.

This started the task of the Constitution of United States as supreme laws which

describe the task of the government in order to realize the government that safeguard

private rights yet still promotes public good.

B. Research Question

Research question is used to formulate the fundamental issue raised by the

topic in the research. The analysis of James Madison‟s political philosophy related to

the making of US Constitution is focused on answering two basic questions, as

follows:


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1. What are James Madison‟s political philosophy revealed in Federalist Paper

no. 10?

2. How does United States Constitution reflect James Madison‟s political

philosophy?

C. Scope of Study

The scope of the study is related to the basic idea of how US political system

is shaped by the framers, taken from James Madison‟s intellectual musings in

Federalist Paper no. 10. This research analyzes James Madison‟s point of view since

he was one of the main contributors of the constitution. Some political philosophy

which spread at that time had influenced James Madison in conceptualizing the

perfect republic through his role in Constitution-making. The influences James

Madison got from his society helped him in arranging the Constitution, and as a

result, shaped American political system. The study focuses on how James Madison‟s

political philosophy through Federalist Paper no. 10 has contributed significant role

behind Constitution making.

D. Objective of Study

Based on the research question, the objectives of the study are:


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1. To find out James Madison‟s political philosophy in Federalist Paper no.

10.

2. To find out how United States Constitution reflects James Madison‟s

political philosophy.

E. Research Significance

This research studies the importance of James Madison‟s political philosophy

that has contributed to the making of the Constitution, which eventually defines

American political system. Hence, there are some significances of the research to the

study of American identity as follows:

1. to give the knowledge of what United States Constitution actually is,

2. to understand historical context behind the making of Constitution,

3. to understand James Madison‟s major contribution behind the making

of the Constitution through his role.

F. Research Methodology

1. Type of Research

The research uses descriptive qualitative research in the study which is done

through library research. Through this method, the data which are used will be

collected from non-statistical sources. Therefore the result of the analysis will be


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descriptive report which based on factual data (Moleong, 2000, p.7). Through this type of

research, the data of this analysis will be collected from words, pictures, bibliographical

study instead of numerical data.

2. Data

The sources of data in the research are taken from Federalist paper No. 10,

and the Constitution itself.

This research examines James Madison‟s political philosophy in advocating

Constitution ratification through Federalist Paper no. 10.

a. Main Data

The main data of this analysis will be taken from Federalist Paper no. 10 by

Madison and the Constitution of United States. These data contain Madison‟s

political philosophy related to the construction of US political system. These data

also portray historical background connected to James Madison‟s political philosophy

when he tried to conceptualize US political system along with other framers. James

Madison was one of the contributors of The Federalist Papers, which aimed to

support the Constitution ratification. He wrote the Federalist along with Alexander

Hamilton and John Jay. Among series of Federalist Papers, no. 10 is the most cited

paper, since it mentioned about the creation of good republic without neglecting the

interest of the people through faction. It discusses about the role of faction, liberty,

and how a well established government should control the excesses of factions

(“Short Essay on Federalist Paper No.10” retrieved from


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http://www.southsearepublic.org/article/17/read/short_essay_on_federalist_paper_no

10 on May 17, 2009 10:08 PM). James Madison, known as the Father of Constitution,

was the primary author of Constitution, influenced by the work of Thomas Jefferson,

Thomas Paine, and John Adams.

b. Supporting Data

The supporting data of this analysis will be James Madison‟s biography,

historical documentation of figures that inspired Madison in conceptualizing the idea

of perfect republic, articles, books related to the topic of research, and historical

records of that time from American history books and encyclopedia, as well as

excerpts from a journal titled “Madison‟s Audience”, Harvard Law Review, vol.112.

no 611, and thoughts which shaped James Madison‟s idea in conceptualizing

American‟s political system.

3. Techniques of Analyzing Data

This research applies descriptive analysis, where data are collected and

classified first, before being taken to the next step. Understanding James Madison‟s

political philosophy means understanding what brought him into such comprehensive

idea of the better government. Situational background at that time which needs

historical point of view and political analysis will be used in understanding

Madison‟s conception of US political system. Therefore after gathering the data,

certain approaches (historical, biographical, political, philosophical approaches) will

http://www.southsearepublic.org/article/17/read/short_essay_on_federalist_paper_no10

http://www.southsearepublic.org/article/17/read/short_essay_on_federalist_paper_no10


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be applied in understanding Madison‟s political philosophy in Federalist Paper no. 10

and the Constitution. This point will eventually lead to what became Madison‟s idea

of perfect government, and how his political philosophy influenced the making of US

political system.

G. Theoretical Approach

This research is conducted within American Studies, which means that

interdisciplinary studies will be needed in order to have a comprehensive result.

Smith (1957) has strengthened this statement by mentioning American Studies‟

characteristics not depended on the importance of certain subject matter‟s issues but

more on how to analyze the issues from various different approaches or angles. This

research takes Federalist Paper no. 10 as subject matter. Federalist Paper no. 10 has

been written during US Constitutional era, and it becomes part of the Federalist series

which explains and supports Constitution ratification. This paper questions the

problem of faction and how a stronger government with extended republican system

under Constitution can give a better cure of its mischief.

Based on this contextual background, Federalist Paper no. 10 can be

considered as American literature text in American Studies perspective. As American

literature text, this paper provides the explanation of US Constitution as well as

persuasion to the American people to ratify the proposed Constitution (Federalist

papers. (2012). Encyclopædia Britannica). Federalist Paper no. 10 along with other


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series of the Federalist exists as the result of what have happened in America at that

time. In this case, we are looking at what has happened in the past. Smith (1957) has

defined American Studies as the study of American culture, past and present as a

whole. From this research, we have Federalist Paper no. 10 as the work of American

literature, American society as the audience, and the relationship of the two. As Smith

has described, “One of distinctive fields of American Studies is this ambiguous

relation between works of art and the culture in which they occur.” (Smith, 1957,

p.199). In this situation, works of art and culture are closely related. Thus, to

understand Madison's political philosophy in the Federalist Paper no. 10, we need to

find out what has happened to Madison himself as the writer of the paper as well as

the social change (the American society at that time under Articles of Confederation).

For many years, scholars have faced great difficulty in defining what

American literature is; what differentiates them from other types, or origins of

literature, and so on. This happens as the result of American history itself, „the history

that the British think of as a dark chapter in the story of British Empire‟ (Spiller,

1981, p.220). Such historical context has endorsed American Studies scholars to find

out what American culture is, how it has come into being, how it functions, and how

it should be studied, researched, and taught. (Spiller, 1981, p.219).

Spiller (1981) has encouraged American Studies scholars to see subject matter

from different perspectives, it also means by applying interdisciplinary studies,

combining some studies to conduct the research. He has also mentioned some ways in

deciding the approaches that can be used in certain types of research. In relation to

philosophy, he states:


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The development of a philosophy and practice of literary history and historical

criticism, particularly American, which starts with the aesthetic examination

of the highest form of an individual work of art and attempts to relate it,

causally and circumstantially, first to its creator by thorough biographical and

psychological study and then to the basic culture and history of the people

who produced it in a given time and place. Thus literary study becomes

holistic when it is involved in the history of thought and manners, as well as

in psychology, sociology, philosophy and the interrelationship of the arts.

(Spiller, 1981, p.225-226) This analysis uses Federalist Paper no. 10 and the Constitution as its main

data and both are literary texts. This research takes Madison‟s political philosophy as

its main focus. First step which needs to be taken in understanding Madison‟s mind is

to take his individual work, in this case Federalist Paper no. 10, then to analyze the

origin of its existence. Afterwards, in order to get the result of the research

biographical and psychological study of Madison as the writer and composer of both

literary texts are needed. To apply Spiller‟s theory in analyzing from past time

(historical) framework, there are four approaches that will be used in this analysis:

historical approach, biographical approach, political approach, and philosophical

approach.

Historical approach is applied in this thesis, since we need to trace back the

political history of United States. Without having historical approach, it is impossible

to analyze James Madison‟s philosophy especially related to the US political system.

The study of US historical documents automatically requires the study of historical

sequences, thus we can draw a causal-and-effect line from one event to another.

Biographical approach of James Madison is needed to understand who really

he was. What was his role in shaping American political system, and who are the

people behind this figure. James Madison was one of United States think tank, he


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wrote several series of Federalist Papers which supported the Constitution ratification

and became the primary author of US Constitution. By knowing his background,

especially on how he could get the influence of his philosophy, we will be able to

understand how he influences the making of US political system through his ideas.

Political approach is used to analyze the governmental system of United

States. At the same time, historical approach can be used to analyze the nature of

governmental system of United States. This feature will be completed by having

political approach, in which we can understand more about the result of this study.

This approach featured analysis of governmental system through the study of

Madison‟s musings esp. in Federalist Paper no. 10.

Philosophical approach is needed to highlight Madison‟s philosophical

thoughts especially stated in the Federalist Paper no. 10.

G. Thesis Organization

This research will be divided into four chapters and will be divided again into

few sub chapters.

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION

The first chapter is introduction, which includes research background,

research question, scope of the study, objective of the study, research significances,

research methodology, theoretical approach, and thesis organization.


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CHAPTER II LITERATURE REVIEW

The second chapter is the literature review. This chapter will be the basis of

the next chapter, which is the analysis. This chapter encompasses three subchapters,

they are: path to Constitution ratification, James Madison‟s political biography,

general spreading of US political philosophy during Federalist period and brief

explanation of what political philosophy is.

This chapter will be started by elaborating the struggle between the Federalist

versus Anti Federalist until the process of Constitution ratification. The need of

strong central government from Federalist‟s side against the fear of dictator

government from Anti-Federalist‟s side. The battle between these two major political

poles in Constitutional Convention eventually reached a consensus and ended by

Constitution ratification.

The next discussion afterwards will be about James Madison‟s

biography, about his early career and his contributions to national politics.

General spreading of US political philosophy that colored the national politics

at that time is essential to discuss in literary review. This part will be the background

in explaining Madison‟s political philosophy, and what inspired him in outlining his

political views. This part also clarifies the definition of political philosophy.


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CHAPTER III ANALYSIS

The third chapter will be the analysis. This chapter will focus on three points:

James Madison‟s political philosophy behind the making of US Constitution, James

Madison‟s political philosophy reflected in the Constitution, and US Constitution and

the implementation of extended republicanism.

First part of the analysis will be about James Madison‟s political philosophy

contained in Federalist Paper no. 10. Three main ideas which become Madison‟s

political philosophy and peaked on Madison proposed extended republican system

under the US Constitution. This part will point out his political philosophy stated in

Federalist Paper no. 10 as well as the explanation of each and influences he got from

several historical figures.

Next sub chapter will point out the philosophy of Madison‟s basic ideas from

Federalist Paper no. 10 and connecting the most similar ideas to Constitution‟s

content. The significance of Madison‟s political philosophy in defending US

Constitution until its ratification, how his ideas are justifiable and suitable with US

political condition at that time will also be observed through this chapter. This part

will highlight Madison‟s ideas from Federalist Paper no. 10 that significantly

emphasize James Madison‟s contribution to US political system through the

Constitution.


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Last sub chapter of the analysis will explain about the Constitution itself while

highlighting the influence of Madison‟s political philosophy stated in previous sub

chapters. This includes the basic information about Constitution‟s content as well as

the operation of government under checks and balances system.

CHAPTER IV CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

The last chapter will sum up the answers from research questions as the result

of analysis.


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CHAPTER II

LITERATURE REVIEW

A. Path to Constitution Ratification

If we wish to talk about government, there are certain fundamental things we

must ask. How the government is supported to run their legislation and authorities in

governing the people. There should be once, a contract of the founders of nation

concerning how to rule the nation. The contract of the people includes how the nation

is governed as well as the authority-division of the government. In this case, United

States has the Constitution, a supreme and binding law that both grants and limits

powers. The ratification of the Constitution itself was not done overnight. It faced

series of debates and argumentations which eventually lead to a compromise of its

ratification.

The task of creating new government was not easily achieved. Disputes

among delegates made the newborn Constitution draft nearly failed to be ratified. In

chapter One, there was a short history of the Constitution ratification. Of how it was

arranged and planned, as a matter of Article of Confederation‘s failure. How the

dispute between the Federalist vs. the Anti Federalist ‗colored‘ the path of

Constitution ratification. The dispute between the two conflicting groups of Federalist

v. Anti Federalist was started from Constitutional Convention. It was about the fear

of the Anti Federalist about the lack guarantee of people‘s rights. They started the

debate by questioning the existence of Bill of Rights.


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Of these complaints, the lack of a bill of rights was the most effective. The

American people had just fought a war to defend their rights, and they did not

want an intimidating national government taking those rights away again. The

lack of a bill of rights was the focus of the Anti-Federalist campaign against

ratification. (Chin & Stern, 1997, par.3).

The Constitution defines distinct powers for the Congress of the United

States, the president, and the federal courts. This system is also known as the Checks

and Balances system, which assures that none of each branch will be able to

dominate one another. The United States Constitution establishes and limits the

power of central government over states, which the Anti-Federalist feared that will

create too strong central government. James Madison tried to convince all members

of Constitutional Convention that people however need laws to govern them.

The conflict between the Federalist v. Anti Federalist became the beginning of

‗battle of political philosophy‘ in United States. Each side of the conflicting group

tried to convince US people that their ideas of perfect government was the best

compared to their opponent‘s side. The Federalist tried to publish series of papers

promoting Constitution named The Federalist Papers, and the Anti-Federalist did the

same thing, by criticizing the lack of people‘s rights guarantee in the Constitution.

During the period from the drafting and proposal of the federal Constitution in

September, 1787, to its ratification in 1789 there was an intense debate on

ratification. The principal arguments in favor of it were stated in the series

written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay called the Federalist Papers, although

they were not as widely read as numerous independent local speeches and

articles. The arguments against ratification appeared in various forms, by

various authors, most of whom used a pseudonym. Collectively, these

writings have become known as the Anti-Federalist Papers. (―Anti-Federalist

Papers‖ retrieved from http://www.constitution.org/afp/afp.htm on January

15th 2010 on 06:48 AM GMT+7)

http://www.constitution.org/afp/afp.htm


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The Anti-Federalist feared the violation of people‘s rights if it was not

included in the Constitution, through the Bill of Rights. Patrick Henry, the leader of

the Anti-Federalist, objected the Constitution ratification for it did not encompass the

Bill of Rights which grants citizen‘s rights. He showed his objection firstly by not

attending the Constitutional Convention.

The Anti-Federalist, led by Patrick Henry, objected to the constitution. They

objected to it for a few basic reasons. Mostly the Anti-Federalists thought that

the Constitution created too strong a central government. They felt that the

Constitution did not create a Federal government, but a single national

government. They were afraid that the power of the states would be lost and

that the people would lose their individual rights because a few individuals

would take over. They proposed a ―Bill of Rights‖, to make sure the citizens

were protected by the law. They believed that no Bill of Rights would be

equal to no check on our government for the people (―Federalists vs. Anti-

Federalists‖ retrieved from http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=65596

on May 14, 2009 01:49 AM).

The Federalist tried to defend Constitution ratification by stating that the

ratification was needed in order to ensure national stability. United States needs a

governmental instrument that will help them in facing chaotic conditions at that time.

A governmental instrument that is able to bind all states and establish stronger nation.

The Federalist, led by James Madison, was in favor of the newly formed

Constitution. One of the main objects of the federal constitution is to secure

the union and in addition include any other states that would arise as a part of

the union. The federal constitution would also set its aim on improving the

infrastructure of the union (―Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists‖

http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=65596 Accessed May 14, 2009

01:49 AM).

The Federalist here tried to prove that the fear of Anti-Federalist was not

valid. Federalist answered the fear of Anti-Federalist of a dictator central government

by conveying the political system they would have, which consists of three branches

http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=65596

http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=65596


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(executive, legislative, judiciary branch), which will check and balance each other.

Each of these branches has equal power which makes them unable to control one

another. ―The separation of powers into three independent branches protected the

rights of the people. Each branch represents a different aspect of the people, and

because all three branches are equal, no one group can assume control over another‖

(Chin & Stern, 1997, par. 4). The three branches of the government will go hand in

hand in securing the rights of the people, and none of them can claim as the strongest

since they always evaluate the work of each branch, to avoid domination of power by

certain people.

The Federalist also answered the main issue raised by Anti-Federalist upon

the existence of Bill of Rights in the Constitution. ―A listing of rights can be a

dangerous thing. If the national government were to protect specific listed rights,

what would stop it from violating rights other than the listed ones? Since we can't list

all the rights, the Federalists argued that it's better to list none at all‖ (Chin & Stern,

1997, par. 4). They Federalist here trying to emphasize that listing people‘s rights can

be a dangerous. If the national government were to protect specific listed rights, what

would stop it from violating rights other than the listed ones? It is impossible to list

all complete rights. The Federalists argued that it will be better to list none at all.

Also, James Madison tried to convince all members of Constitutional Convention that

people however need laws to govern them. James Madison stated that, ―If men were

angels, no government would be necessary.‖ (Madison in Federalist Papers no. 51).

Based on this statement it is clear that what the nation needed at that period was a


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basic constitution to govern them. Hence it will create a strong nation which operates

on the right path.

The first nine states to ratify the Constitution were Delaware (on December 7,

1787), followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts,

Maryland, and South Carolina. New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify on

June 21, 1788. Therefore it made the Constitution legally effective. But without the

ratification from New York and Virginia, it was questionable for the Constitution to

succeed. Virginia ratified four days later and finally New York in July 26, 1788.

North Carolina ratified in 1789 and Rhode Island in 1790.

Federalist Papers became the device of overviewing the Constitution and to

convince American people (especially the people of New York) to ratify the

Constitution. ―Formally The Federalist series of 85 essays on the proposed new

Constitution of the United States and on the nature of republican government,

published between 1787 and 1788 by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John

Jay in an effort to persuade New York state voters to support ratification‖ ("Federalist

papers.". (2009). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved June 12, 2009 10: 09 PM

GMT+7). From eighty-five series of Federalist Papers, Alexander Hamilton was the

dominant contributor by writing fifty-seven, James Madison contributed twenty one,

and John Jay wrote five of them. Additionally three were written by the collaboration

of Hamilton and Madison.

ebcid:com.britannica.oec2.identifier.ArticleIdentifier?articleId=26012&library=EB&query=null&title=Constitution%20of%20the%20United%20States#9026012.toc

ebcid:com.britannica.oec2.identifier.IndexEntryContentIdentifier?idxStructId=498880&library=EB

ebcid:com.britannica.oec2.identifier.ArticleIdentifier?articleId=106262&library=EB&query=null&title=government#9106262.toc

ebcid:com.britannica.oec2.identifier.ArticleIdentifier?articleId=39033&library=EB&query=null&title=Alexander%20Hamilton#9039033.toc

ebcid:com.britannica.oec2.identifier.ArticleIdentifier?articleId=49905&library=EB&query=null&title=James%20Madison#9049905.toc

ebcid:com.britannica.oec2.identifier.ArticleIdentifier?articleId=43451&library=EB&query=null&title=John%20Jay#9043451.toc




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The Federalist Papers serve as a primary source for interpretation of the

Constitution, as they underline the philosophy and motivation of the proposed system

of government. The authors of the Federalist Papers wanted both to influence the vote

in favor of ratification and to shape future interpretations of the Constitution.

According to historian Richard B. Morris, they are an ‗incomparable exposition of the

Constitution, a classic in political science unsurpassed in both breadth and depth by

the product of any later American writer‘ (Morris, 1987, from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federalist_Papers). Seventy-seven of the essays first

appeared serially in New York newspapers, were reprinted in most other states. Those

were published in book form as The Federalist on May 28, 1788; the remaining eight

papers appeared in New York newspapers between June 14 and August 16.

Virginia ratified the Constitution on June 25, 1788, and New York did so on

July 26. Early in January 1789, all the ratifying states except New York, which failed

to appoint electors by the deadline, selected presidential electors in their legislatures

or by a direct vote of the people. On February 4, the electors named George

Washington as the first President of the United States. The first Congress under the

Constitution met in New York City on March 4. Washington was inaugurated on

April 30. But North Carolina and Rhode Island refused to approve the Constitution

and take part in the new government until Congress agreed to add the Bill of Rights.

The Federalist might not succeed the Constitution ratification if they had not

promised to add Bill of Rights to the Constitution.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_B._Morris

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federalist_Papers


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B. James Madison’s Biography

The biography of James Madison here includes several important events of

his life. This part encompasses brief explanation of his early life and his career in

politics as the member of Continental Congress, State Assemblyman, and US

Congressman who also fought for Constitution ratification. This limitation is needed

in order not to make the discussion out of topic.

James Madison was born in March 16th

, 1751 at Port Conway, King George

County, Virginia. His mother brought him to Montpelier estate in Orange County

which became the place he spent his entire life. Just like other plantation children,

James Madison accepted his early schooling at home, from his own grandmother,

Mrs. Frances Taylor Madison. When he was about 12, he was enrolled in the school

of Donald Robertson in King and Queen County. After three or four years with

Robertson, he studied for ―a year or two‖ under the Reverend Thomas Martin and in

1769 enrolled in the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University). James

Madison was interested in the study of history, government, and public law, and

finally graduated at 1771.

In June 1762, he left his home in Montpelier to attend the boarding school of

Ronald Robertson, a Scot who had been educated at the University of Edinburgh, a

man who Madison subsequently would remember as ‗a man of great learning and

eminent teacher‘. Over five year period, Madison then learned Latin, Greek, French,

Italian, and Spanish, was introduced to science and mathematics and immersed


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himself in the histories of Greece and Rome. Robertson‘s small collection of great

books provided Madison with an early advantage over many of his Virginia

contemporaries whose pre-college education was limited by ‗ignorant, indifferent

tutors or rectors who owned only a few Latin grammars and some volumes of

divinity‘ (Ketcham 1994, 20).

In 1767, Madison left Robertson school for two years of advanced tutoring at

home under the Reverend Thomas Martin, who had graduated in 1762 from the

College of New Jersey at Princeton. In the summer of 1769, Madison departed from

Montpelier to follow his tutor Thomas Martin at The College of New Jersey at

Princeton. The College of New Jersey served James Madison very well, offering

remarkably liberal education for a late eighteenth century colonial college.

The key intellectual guiding the course of Madison‘s thought during his

college days was John Witherspoon, American clergyman, educator, and statesman,

born near Edinburgh, and educated at the University of Edinburgh. Witherspoon was

the President of the College of New Jersey. Former member of Continental Congress,

Witherspoon signed the declaration of Independence. He was also a delegate to the

New Jersey convention of 1787 that ratified the U.S. Constitution.

The heroes of President Witherspoon were John Milton, Algernon Sidney,

John Locke and the authors of Cato's Letters, John Trenchard and Thomas

Gordon. Witherspoon was as fearful, as any of these writers, that all power in

human hands would be abused. As each of these scholars, Witherspoon was

fearful that power placed in human hands would be abused and was on guard

against exaggerated pretensions to authority. James Madison learned from

Witherspoon the sterling principle that liberty was to be gained and preserved

only at the price of eternal vigilance. (Owens, 1999, par.8 )


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Madison learned much more from Witherspoon than just to value liberty and

to endorse revolution. Under Witherspoon supervision, he read a range of literature

that deeply influenced his post-revolutionary thinking.

Through Witherspoon supervisor, Madison was getting to know to some

influential philosopher like John Locke. Witherspoon drove Madison‘s attention that

the role of government was to encourage and to nourish, not life alone, but the good

life, the life of virtue.

As Madison later came to accept John Locke‘s concepts of representation and

government by consent, he added these concepts to his earlier education in the

politics of virtue. For Madison, virtue was always the foundation of

government, endowed with a higher sanction than the mere will of majority.

(Owens, 1999, par.11).

Madison believed that in government lays noble tasks, which would be safeguard

private rights and still promote public good; besides being the ruler, government

should be holding up people‘s safety demand and liberty. To sum up, being a strong

central government without neglecting the interests of the people. This is proven

when Madison elaborated his idea of the fittest government through extended

republican government stated in Federalist Paper no. 10. He urged the existence of

more well-established nation through extended republic, which upholds people‘s

interests at its best as well as to control the system of government. By the time

Madison finished his study, he had become a devoted student of the scholarship of

John Locke. ―John Locke‘s thought influenced Madison profoundly and was always

thereafter the foundation of his personal and public philosophy.‖ (Owens, 1999,


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par.12). Madison‘s political philosophy was colored by Locke‘s thoughts through

Witherspoon.

From 1772 to 1775, Madison remained in his father‘s home at Montpelier in

poor health, convinced that he would not have a long life. It has been suggested that

he suffered from hypochondria, a condition in which he experienced the symptoms of

a disease but none was diagnosed. Uncertain about a career, he devoted his time to

extensive reading in literature, theology, and law. Before long a growing interest in

political and religious freedom led him into a serious study of public law and of the

forms and principles of government.

Back at Montpelier, still undecided on a profession, Madison soon embraced

the patriot cause, and state and local politics absorbed much of his time. In 1775 he

served on the Orange County committee of safety; the next year at the Virginia

convention, which, besides advocating various Revolutionary steps, framed the

Virginia constitution; in 1776-77 in the House of Delegates; and in 1778-80 in the

Council of State. His ill health precluded any military service (―America's Founding

Fathers, Delegates To the Constitutional Convention: James Madison, Virginia‖. The

U.S.National Archives and Records Administration). James Madison was elected to

the Continental Congress in December 1779. He took his seat with the Virginia

delegation in March 1780, four days after his 29th birthday. He was not only the

youngest man in Congress but at the beginning probably the least imposing. He was

slight, reserved, and hesitant in taking the floor to speak. But these drawbacks did not


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prevent him in making a speedy and accurate assessment of the condition of the

country, and after the first few months he assumed a leading role in Congress.

The independence of United States was assured when major hostilities with

Britain came to an end in 1781. Nonetheless, there were still some things that yet to

be assured by the new nation. There was still much to be decided regarding the new

nation‘s form of government and its relations with its neighbors. James Madison

favored strong central government by giving it power in controlling financial

activities of the states and to levy import duties.

Madison was clearly the preeminent figure at the convention. Some of the

delegates favored an authoritarian central government; others, retention of

state sovereignty; and most occupied positions in the middle of the two

extremes. Madison, who was rarely absent and whose Virginia Plan was in

large part the basis of the Constitution, tirelessly advocated a strong

government, though many of his proposals were rejected. Despite his poor

speaking capabilities, he took the floor more than 150 times, third only after

Gouverneur Morris and James Wilson. Madison was also a member of

numerous committees, the most important of which were those on postponed

matters and style. His journal of the convention is the best single record of the

event. He also played a key part in guiding the Constitution through the

Continental Congress (―America's Founding Fathers, Delegates To the

Constitutional Convention: James Madison, Virginia‖. The U.S.National

Archives and Records Administration)

James Madison ran again for election to the Virginia assembly

in the spring of 1784, and won. He served nearly three years there, pursuing the same

objectives he had fought for in Congress. He advocated strengthening the federal

government, which was not popular in Virginia, as it was in most of the states. He

consistently supported measures, at both state and national levels, that would best

safeguard the rights of the individual.


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Madison was also greatly concerned about the problem of regulating

commerce between the states. He was largely responsible for calling a conference

between Maryland and Virginia to discuss navigation rules for the Potomac River, the

border between the two states. The discussions failed because other states on the river

were not represented. Madison and his supporters then proposed a resolution in the

Virginia assembly inviting all the states to meet to discuss the question of uniform

commercial regulations. The meeting was held in September 1786 in Annapolis,

Maryland.

After the struggle against Britain, Madison saw the danger of national unity

because of conflicting interests among the states. He was convinced that uniform

rules among the states must be established in order to regulate trade and commercial

relations. And in order to activate this function, United States must have a strong

federal government. Madison strongly believed that the Articles of Confederation

should be amended in order to extend the power of Congress. But he himself was

pessimistic to about winning support from the people in Annapolis Convention.

Madison attended the Annapolis Convention as a delegate from Virginia.

Only four other states sent representatives. It was agreed to call another

convention of all the states, this time to draw up a national constitution. The

Virginia assembly unanimously approved the new convention, which was

scheduled to be held in Philadelphia in May 1787, and Madison was named

one of the delegates. (―James Madison‖ (2008). Microsoft® Encarta® 2009

Redmond, WA.)

Annapolis Convention which was hosted by Virginia was the beginning of

James Madison‘s struggle as the Father of Constitution. This meeting was only

attended by 5 states including Virginia. Therefore the people who attended Annapolis


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Convention decided to adjourn the meeting to discuss trading issues as well as other

issues. From his idea of amending the Articles of Confederation James Madison

along with other founding fathers began working for the creation of the strong

government through the birth of United States Constitution.

The next meeting that was planned in Annapolis Convention was

Constitutional Convention held in Philadelphia. James Madison arrived three weeks

before the meeting started. He equipped himself with his two papers he had written

earlier that spring, a Study of Ancient and Modern Confederacies; and Vices of the

Political System of the United States drawn from his experience in government and

comprehensive reading.

Madison retired to his study in his beloved home Montpelier armed with a

number of books he had collected (many sent from Paris by his friend Tom

Jefferson) dealing with governments of the past. From these books on ancient

republics Madison hoped to learn what made governments work, or prevented

them working. The result was a document titled "Notes on Ancient and

Modern Confederacies." (Kauffman, Bruce J. James Madison "Godfather of

the Constitution” sec.2, par.2)

In Study of Ancient and Modern Confederacies, James Madison made lists of

all the features of those governments, good and bad, but in particular the bad, such as

"disparity of size in Cantons," "intolerance of religion" and "weakness of the Union,"

to name a few. James Madison was convinced that in a large republic one faction

would not stay in place long enough, or grow large enough, to pose a threat; other

factions would be created and they would all "check each other." And in his later

collection of notes, titled Vices of the Political System of the United States, James

Madison began to work his ideas on how human nature affected the government.

http://www.earlyamerica.com/jefferson-primer.html




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From his musings, Madison eventually came to a conclusion of how to create

successful republic. The key for Madison, is that the different interests and factions

should not were not to be ignored, but to be taken for granted—and finally turned to

the support of liberty and of republican government.

Madison proposed a government with strong central powers, including

national judiciary and elected national executive, and with authority to veto

legislation of individual states. Primarily, James Madison sought to provide the

central government with ‗positive and complete authority in all cases which require

uniformity‘ and to prevent abuse of this authority by making the government

responsible to the people. James Madison also favored a two-chamber legislature and

a system of representation that would give the larger states an influence in proportion

to their size.

Madison‘s ideas were presented to the convention by Virginia‘s Governor

Edmund Randolph, in the so-called Virginia Plan or Large-State Plan. The

Small-State Plan, urging equal representation in Congress for all states

regardless of population, was proposed by New Jersey. Madison became the

leading spokesman for the Virginia Plan and, despite strong opposition, for

the Virginia delegation also. ("James Madison". (2008). Microsoft® Encarta®

2009. Redmond, WA.)

Through this equal representation of legislators in Congress, small states will

not hamper the rights of other larger states. Therefore there will be no tyranny from

the minority and the rights of all members can be fulfilled.

The Convention compromised between the Virginia and New Jersey Plans:

the states would be represented according to size the lower chamber, the House of

Representatives, but would have equal voting power in the upper chamber, in the


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Senate. Madison feared of the government by minority and foresaw that small states

would be able to wield disproportionate power.

James Madison kept a detailed journal of the Convention‘s process. He

constantly attended the meeting and his Journal of Federal Convention which

published in 1840 is the most complete record of the historic meeting. ―It happened,‖

he remarked, ―that I was not absent a single day, nor more than a fraction of an hour

in any day, so that I could not have lost a single speech unless a very short one.‖ His

purpose of making this journal was to preserve the ―history of the Constitution which

would be staked the happiness of a people great even in its infancy, and possibly the

cause of liberty throughout the world.‖ (―James Madison: 1751 – 1836‖ from

http://www.knowsouthernhistory.net/Biographies/James_Madison/). In the following

year as the follow up of Constitutional Convention, Madison worked to get the new

Constitution ratified. In Congress, his effort helped defeat attempts to amend the

Constitution and speeded its referral to the States‘ ratification. While in New York for

the Congress, he worked along with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay in publishing

series of papers, explaining and defending the Constitution. These were published in

newspapers in order to counteract attack that was aimed to halt the Constitution

ratification.

These series of papers that James Madison wrote in collaboration with

Alexander Hamilton and John Jay were later named as The Federalist, published in

October 1878. Over the next ten months, the first 77 of 85 series of The Federalist

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appeared in New York under the name ‗Publius‘ or ‗A Citizen of New York‘. James

Madison is credited with the authorship of 26 of them.

Among 85 series of Federalist Papers, the 10th

paper of the series is the best

known of those written by James Madison.

Best known from its later appearance as The Federalist Paper no. 10,

Madison's theory of the extended republic is, as one commentator notes, the

argument from the Founding "most often anthologized, taught, studied, and

remembered in this century. It appears in introductory textbooks of history,

rhetoric, American literature, and political science." (Kramer, 1999, p.612)

It explains about the proper relationship between government and the varied,

conflicting interests that characterizes democratic society. He also analyzed the origin

of the differing interests of the society. James Madison believed that political

differences grew primarily out of varying economic interests and that the basic cause

of the disagreement among the American states was not the differences in size but the

conflicts between slave and free states, between plantation and merchant states,

between debtor and creditor states. He believed that strong national government with

strong Constitution would help to reduce such conflicts and prevent chaotic condition

in national economic.

But the most common and durable source of factions, has been the various

and unequal distribution of property. Those who hold, and those who are

without property, have ever formed distinct interests in society. Those who

are creditors, and those who are debtors, fall under a like discrimination. A

landed interest, a manufacturing interest, a mercantile interest, a moneyed

interest, with many lesser interests, grow up of necessarily in civilized

nations, and divide them into different classes, actuated by different

sentiments and views. The regulation of these various and interfering interests

forms the principal task of modern legislation, and involves the spirit of the

party and faction in the necessary and ordinary operations of the government.

(James Madison, Federalist Papers no. 10)


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In this part of Federalist Paper no. 10, Madison analyzed that the origin of

conflicting interests was the disparity of people‘s property. Conflicting interests

among society will always exist since people are divided based on their property-

ownership. And by this condition, the role of strong central government to regulate

the battle of interests is needed.

At the Convention, James Madison finally met some of the most powerful and

most eloquent of Virginia‘s statesmen who opposed the Constitution, including

Patrick Henry, George Mason, and James Monroe. But as previously mentioned,

James Madison came to Philadelphia with preparation. He knew every article of the

Constitution and was very familiar with the all the arguments used against it. When

people at the Convention began examining the Constitution, Madison spoke

constantly for its defense and offered full explanations.

Though ill, Madison took the floor 35 times in the first four days of this

examination. His arguments were those of The Federalist. His manner of

speaking was restrained, while that of Patrick Henry, his chief adversary, was

flamboyant. Madison spoke always to the point, with the pertinent facts at

hand. (―James Madison‖. (2008). Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. Redmond,

WA.)

In his final year, Madison came back to Montpellier, to spend the rest of his

life. Madison‘s final years were troubled with chronic illness, but the quickness of his

mind was unimpaired. His interest and concern for the nation he had helped to found

continued undiminished. The deaths of Jefferson and Monroe, the longtime friends

and associates of both his private and public life, saddened his old age. During his


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last years, Madison was confined to his home, where he died in 1836. He said "I

always talk better lying down." when he approached his death.

C. Political Philosophy in the United States:

Ideas and Thoughts as the Background of US Constitutional Era

This part will discuss the major spreading of US political philosophy. Before

discussing further about major philosophers in US and what their teachings are, it is

necessary to define what political philosophy itself in the first place. ―Political

philosophy is the branch of philosophy that deals with fundamental questions about

politics: the existence of the state, the extent of liberty, the pursuit of justice, the

source of rights and the duties of citizens.‖ (―Political philosophy‖, sec.1, par.1

http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Political_philosophy). In attempting to understand

political philosophy, we have to define philosophy in the first place. What is

philosophy? It is a quest for wisdom, quest for universal knowledge, for knowledge

of the whole. Philosophy is essentially quest for the truth. (Strauss, 1957, pp. 343-

344). Of philosophy thus understood, political philosophy is a branch. Political

Philosophy will then be the attempt to replace opinion about the nature of political

things by knowledge of the nature of political things. Political things‘ aims are to

raise a claim to men‘s obedience, allegiance, decision, or judgment. To conclude,

―Political philosophy is the attempt truly to know both the nature of political things

and the right, or the good, political order.‖ (Strauss, 1957, pp. 343-345). The essence

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of political philosophy is to understand political order and to use it to achieve

something. Either good or bad, it is depended on those who hold the highest power in

using this right, good, political order.

Studying philosophy or system of thoughts that being upheld by US framers

during the era of Constitution-making is interesting. The founding fathers had almost

similar way of thinking that being concluded in the formation of Declaration of

Independence, especially the Constitution. Constitution itself is the solid outcome of

United States‘ reflection of human rights and interest which makes it able to serve the

people up to now.

Almost all political philosophies that influenced the Framers are exercised

based on human‘s self interest. US Framers‘ political philosophies were significantly

colored by John Locke and Montesquieu‘s thoughts. They were two political

philosophers who had great influence behind the creation of the Constitution. John

Locke, a formidable British philosopher had a large impact through his Two Treatise

of Civil Government (1690). He expressed the radical view that government is

morally obliged to serve people, namely by protecting life, liberty, and property.

Locke explained the principle of checks and balances to limit government power,

favored representative government and a rule of law. He denounced tyranny. He

insisted that when government violates individual rights, people may legitimately

rebel. Furthermore, John Locke also pioneered the idea of separation of powers that

later on was developed by Baron de Montesquieu through The Spirit of the Laws

(1748).


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This part will cover three major political philosophies that influenced the

framers along with some notable scholars who influenced their theories. These

political philosophies were vastly spread and fueled the political activity in the United

States at that time. That the Constitution was not an intellectual product of the

Framers which happened one night, but more as the product of elaborated thoughts of

the maker, which colored by major political philosophy spread at that time.

Political arrangements established by the Constitution were the result of

historical experiences and circumstances of the newly born colonies. And US

Framers brought to their considerations a coherent philosophy about means of

government. ―This philosophy about government itself encompasses three major

political doctrines: natural rights, republicanism, and constitutionalism. These three

ideas were part of the common intellectual currency of eighteenth century America.‖

(Smith, Duane. AN INTRODUCTION TO THE POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY

OF THE CONSTITUTION. Retrieved March 1st 2010 from

http://www.civiced.org/papers/political.html). From these three political doctrines,

we can see what are major political philosophy that colored the United States political

life at the moment of Constitution-making.

1. Natural Rights

The analysis of natural rights as one of popular philosophy spread in the early

settlement of US government should get started from basic questions in forming a

government. Questions like “what makes government a government?” or “what

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validates government’s power in managing its people?” are needed in explaining the

ideal task of government and how government operates their system over people.

One hundred years before the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia

occurred, John Locke published the Second Treatise of Civil Government. The

content of Two Treaties of Civil Government is summarized as follows:

Political power entails the right to make laws backed by the threat of force.

There is no way to prove that one has a right to hold political power by

reference to one's ancestry. Since forming a government on such a basis leads

to rule by brute force, and consequently, to civil disorder, another way must

be found to choose political leaders, one derived from an understanding of

men's relationships to each other before the existence of government, i.e., of

men's relationships to each other in a state of nature. (Braman, 1996, sec.1,

par.6)

The idea of political power owned by government is how to make its people

obey the rules and in making the people obey them, the government needs the threat

of force. John locked argued that naturally, government‘s authority is exercised based

on people‘s consent, hence they grant the exercise of that authority in order to access

security for their natural rights in return: to life, liberty, and estate. We have to

underline these two important points: the consent of the governed, and the guarantee

in accessing people‘s natural rights, or security. Locke opposed monarchy or a form

of government which is ruled by one‘s hereditary right (by kings or queens). In Locke

opinion, monarchy does not always lead to an established government, for it might be

ruled by vicious kings. Riots might happen as the result of a corrupted system; hence

he suggested the form of government which is based on the nature of inter-human

relationships. Because by establishing government which is based on the


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understanding of human relationship, there will be minimum risk of chaos.

Government will work based on people‘s demand and rulers are chosen from

people‘s truest voices. Yet before suggesting elaborated system of government, John

Locke had to try to figure out how legitimate government is established, what the

basis of its political authority is, how extensive it should be, and what it has to be

used for. He used those questions as an approach in finding out the ideal system of

government that ruled based on state of nature and protecting the people. Locke‘s

visions on natural rights had enlightened some of the Framers like Thomas Jefferson

and James Madison. His thoughts about natural rights and the equality of men has

inspired Thomas Jefferson in writing the Declaration of Independence, and

furthermore inspired James Madison in drawing the concept of government by the

idea of natural rights.

Locke‘s first approach in elaborating his concept of ideal government is by

thinking about what life would be like without government. He later portrayed a

condition ‗the state of nature‘. In state of nature, each man, as the owner of reason

and free will, is cognitively independent and equal, and so, by implication, politically

independent and equal. To summarize, ―Locke's conception of the state of nature

implies a law of nature, which is that "no one ought to harm another in his life, heath,

liberty or possessions. Natural law, then, implies natural rights to life, liberty and

property.‖ (Braman, 1996, sec.1, par.8 ). Life, in state of nature is insecure, because

without the existence of government, there is no single authority in determining what

the law of nature demands and to enforce those demands. To elaborate this point, we


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must think of how people‘s interests are diverged. One person has different interest

compared to the other. And these people with diverged interests might harass each

other‘s rights because they have their own natural rights.

Locke thought that the disadvantages of this are obvious: men's understanding

of the laws of nature is flawed because their reason is imperfect and their

judgments distorted by their own self interest. Since there are always those

who will not observe the laws of nature, men's natural rights are necessarily

insecure. (Smith, Duane. ―AN INTRODUCTION TO THE POLITICAL

PHILOSOPHY OF THE CONSTITUTION‖

http://www.civiced.org/papers/political.html)

To explain the idea above, Locke described ―the state of war‖ in contrast to

his idea of ―the state of nature‖. It results whenever someone chooses to disobey the

law of nature. In John Locke‘s view, the basic problem that creates the need for

government in the first place is the imperfection of human nature. This means, of

course, that the government must be formed based on consent, that protects the rights

of the its people and guarantee their security in accessing their natural rights, without

violating each other‘s.

John Locke‘s ideas obviously influenced the way Thomas Jefferson in the

Declaration of Independence. There Jefferson wrote:

"We hold these Truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that

all are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among

these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these

Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers

from the consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government

becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to

abolish it, and to institute new Government...." (Jefferson, Thomas. United

States Declaration of Independence)


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In this part, Thomas Jefferson had the same idea with John Locke, that all

people have certain inalienable rights, which becomes the task of the government to

protect. Government is established in order to guarantee the security for its people‘s

rights, and these governments derive their authority from the governed or people‘s

consent. If the trusted or chosen people in government fail to provide security for

people‘s rights, people may withdraw their consent and set up another government in

an effort to provide what people seek: security in accessing their rights.

2. Classical Republicanism

In addition to the belief of natural rights, Americans were committed to the

doctrine of classical Republicanism. Americans resolve two doctrines of natural

rights and classical republicanism by holding that the application of common welfare

is accomplished by the protection of individual natural rights. And only through

republican government, people can achieve this goal.

Republicanism was a political doctrine with roots in antiquity. The Americans

drew their conclusions about the requirements and advantages of republican

government from their study of the great republics of the past as well as from

the writings of Montesquieu and a host of English writers. (Smith, Duane.

―AN INTRODUCTION TO THE POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY OF THE

CONSTITUTION‖ http://www.civiced.org/papers/political.html).

In American people‘s mind, republican government was synonymous with

free government. This occurs because the people expect to be freer than any other

citizens with other forms of government. Freer people under free government will

make the people prosperous and enterprising, making the state wealthier and stronger


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in return. Free government that protects the liberty of its citizens is stronger than

tyrannical governments that oppress its citizens.

Related to the concept of republican government, the Framers took it for

granted that the new Constitution they were to write must provide the establishment

of republican government. Until later, James Madison mentioned in Federalist Papers

no. 39,

The first question that offers itself is, whether the general form and aspect of

the government be strictly republican. It is evident that no other form would

be reconcilable with the genius of the people of America; with the

fundamental principles of the Revolution; or with that honorable

determination which animates every votary of freedom, to rest all our political

experiments on the capacity of mankind for self-government. (Madison,

Federalist Paper no.39. http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/fed39.asp)

This, however, raised dissatisfaction of the Anti Federalist towards the

Constitution adopted in Philadelphia at 1776. For Madison himself, this Convention

had reached an achievement, which was to find the conception of ‗extended republic‘,

a republic encompassing a much larger territory and many more citizens than any

republic previously had successfully done. ―Moreover, Madison was to argue, the

extended republic, organized according to the principles suggested by the newly

improved science of politics, provided a solution to the major problem that had led to

the downfall of the famous republics of the past: faction.‖ (Smith, Duane. ―AN

INTRODUCTION TO THE POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY OF THE

CONSTITUTION‖ http://www.civiced.org/papers/political.html). Faction has been a

mortal disease of all forms of republican government. When people engaged in

factious movements, their self interests or natural rights will violate each other as

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they pursue each of their own goals. This condition can damage republican form of

government. ―Hence, the classical prescription for the prevention of faction had been

the development and maintenance of republican virtue. A body of citizens who

possessed both the private and public qualities of character associated with republican

citizenship would generally prefer the common welfare to their particular interest.‖

(Smith, Duane. ―AN INTRODUCTION TO THE POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY OF

THE CONSTITUTION‖ http://www.civiced.org/papers/political.html) Hence James

Madison defined a republic as:

A government which derives all its powers directly or indirectly from the

great body of the people, and is administered by persons holding their offices

during pleasure for a limited period, or during good behavior. It is essential to

such a government that it be derived from the great body of the society, not

from an inconsiderable proportion or a favored class of it. (James Madison,

Federalist, no. 39, 250—53, http://press-

pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/documents/v1ch4s24.html accessed on March 1st

2010)

Republican form of government is what Americans think the best for them,

even since the era during Constitution making. Because of their past experience of

being colonized by Britain, the framers were alerted to set the fittest form of

government which protects people‘s security as well as secures the rights of the

people. And republican government is defined by Madison as the type of government

which is given its authority by the people (the governed), and which the authority

figures are selected as well as limited. Cincotta‘s (1994) study found that people at

that time were animated by the spirit of republicanism, an idea that had long been

praised by English philosophers, in which Americans were colonialized by. Therefore

framers were familiar with the thought of republicanism.

http://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/documents/v1ch4s24.html

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3. Constitutionalism

In addition to natural rights and republicanism, finally the Framers were

influenced by the idea of Constitutionalism. In explaining constitutionalism matter,

we cannot leave the discussion about constitution. "A constitution is a set of customs,

traditions, rules, and laws that structures the way a government is organized and

defines the relationship between the government and its citizens." (Smith, Duane.

―AN INTRODUCTION TO THE POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY OF THE

CONSTITUTION‖ http://www.civiced.org/papers/political.html). Americans favor

written constitution. This came as the result of the history which shaped Americans

themselves. The colonies were governed once, based on charters and other written

documents. More importantly, Framers shared the urgency of Constitution‘s

existence, not simply as a reminder of what are the functions of the governments, but

also to limit the exercise of powers owned by the government.

What is meant by constitutionalism is ―…the idea that government can and

should be legally limited in its powers, and that its authority depends on its observing

these limitations.‖ (Waluchow, Wil. 2007. from

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/constitutionalism/). The limitation of power as

written in the Constitution is needed so that abuse of powers will never happen. The

people of the United States wholeheartedly agree that Constitution is what defined

their system. Next thing is, not all constitutional documents really secure the work of

the government. For instance, the United States under Articles of Confederation: The

Articles can be categorized as constitution, yet it did not save the Union from chaos

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in post Revolutionary War. Thus Madison stated in Federalist Paper no. 48, ―A mere

demarcation on parchment of the constitutional limits of the several departments is

not a sufficient guard against those encroachments which lead to a tyrannical

concentration of all the powers of government in the same hands,‖ (James Madison,

Federalist Paper no. 48). Mere limitation in the constitutional texts or documents of

some issues is not enough. It does not guarantee a safe system of government which

is free from corrupted people. Of this reason, the Framers viewed that separation of

powers and check and balances are absolute requirements for a constitutional

government. Because by including the division of authorities to different branches

and grant them equal power in exercising each other, the constitution will effectively

work in opposing the improper exercise of political power.

The constitution will then assure that the political power mandated to the

government by the sovereign people would be used only for the purpose for which

the government was established by the people in the first place: the advancement of

the common welfare and the protection of individual natural rights.


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CHAPTER III

ANALYSIS

A. James Madison’s Political Philosophy

behind the Making of Constitution

James Madison viewed the Constitutional Convention as an opportunity to

correct and improve government in the states and as a chance to save republican

government generally. His main concern was how to replace the league of thirteen

states into one fully consolidated national government (Kramer, Larry D. (Jan. 1999).

“Madison’s Audience”, Harvard Law Review, vol.112. no. 3pp 611-679). Madison

believed that a consolidated Union was needed if United States wished to survive as a

republic; and that this required rewarding certain powers on the national government

and ensuring that these powers could be exercised effectively (Ibid., p. 624.). He

expected order over the chaos happened in the new nation. Direct democracy was not

enough in managing the post-Revolutionary War condition in the United States. He

demanded effective system that would strengthen the central government, without

violating the liberty of the people.

Madison‘s strategy was thoroughly conventional: that the federal government

needed some additional powers—including, most importantly, power over trade and

power to control its own sources of revenue.

The fundamental weakness of the national government was its inability to use its

powers effectively because of unbearable dependence on the states. What was mainly


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needed then, were amendments that would enable the national government to execute

its laws and fulfill its commands without having to depend on voluntary cooperation

from state officials.

Madison‘s process in rethinking the problem of The Union began early in

1786, when Madison finally found the time to begin a long-anticipated course of

reading, working with ―literary cargo‖ that Thomas Jefferson sent from Paris. The

results of his readings are found in Madison‘s Notes on Ancient and Modern

Confederacies. In this Notes James Madison carefully recorded the primary attributes

and vices of other federations. This memorandum, however, remains unfinished;

probably because Madison decided not to do more as in, he had seen enough. After

examining six systems in his Notes, Madison drew a conclusion that the fatal

weakness in all of them was the tendency of the provincial governments to quarrel

with each other and to encroach on central authority. Symptoms differed in every

case, reflecting variations in the situations and structures of the respective

governments, but the disease was always the same: too little authority in the center to

control the jealousies and hostility of the boundaries.

Using Federalist Paper no. 10 as main data, this part contains the analysis of

James Madison‘s contribution in defending the US Constitution: his ideas and

musings favored the Constitutional ratification. In relation to the formation of strong,

established government, there are three important ideas of Madison in Federalist

Paper no. 10: the nature of faction (the state of nature), the protection of people's

property ownership, and the idea of extended republican system of government which


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Madison defended in favor of Constitution ratification. First subchapter of the

analysis will cover Madison‘s political philosophy mentioned in his Federalist Paper

no. 10, and the second subchapter will be about the role of Federalist Paper no. 10 to

the Constitution or the relation between the two.

Three Madison's Political Philosophy stated

in Federalist Paper no. 10

1. The Nature of Faction (The State of Nature)

Studying James Madison‘s political philosophy means studying his Federalist

Paper no. 10 because he poured out his thoughts and ideas during the Constitutional

era to the paper. Kramer (1999)‘s study found that Federalist Paper no. 10 is the most

cited, anthologized, and taught paper. This paper relates to Constitutional defense

since it features James Madison‘s prophecies and his philosophical presentation about

the fittest form of national government, the extended republican government. Among

other series of Federalist Papers, the Paper no. 10 stands out since it advocates the

republican system of government which is based on equal representation, a form of

government which contrasts United States to earlier governmental systems of

Greece‘s, or France‘s democracy, and it is elaborated well by Madison himself in this

paper. Eventually, Federalist Paper no. 10 supported the Federalist Papers as a whole

for Madison‘s accuracy in portraying the national condition and suggesting the

importance of US Constitution.


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As we follow popular understanding about this Paper, Federalist Paper no. 10

starts its discussion by mentioning the important role of a nation in controlling the

violence of faction. Faction holds an important role in the growth of a nation; its

growth determines national stability. Since faction represents people‘s interests, it is

possible in dividing the nation based on groups of people with varied interests. Before

the Constitution was ratified, US national stability was at stake because people were

grouped based on their own interests: one group-based interest clashed with another,

and this condition was exacerbated by limp central government which did not operate

well because of its dependence to the states.

Federalist Paper no. 10 elaborates the foundation of a well-established nation

which is based on people‘s power. What is meant by people‘s power in here is the

power mandated from the people to the ruling government. Historically, the US

government started its political system with direct democracy and eventually came

with republican system that had been suggested by Madison through his Federalist

Paper no. 10. As a democratic nation, United States in pre-Constitutional era could

not neglect the emergence of factions. It appeared as people expressed their personal

interests, which possibly triggered by trivia issues, or national-scaled issues such as

slavery system or political activities. In seeing faction, James Madison defined it as

―a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or a minority of the whole,

who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest,

adversed to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of

the community.‖ (Federalist Paper no. 10). The definition of faction from Federalist


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Paper no. 10 itself is self-explanatory; faction is any group of people that divide them

based on their self-interest. Faction comes from people‘s truest interests, naturally. It

can be shaped through society, yet it cannot be forced.

James Madison stated his expectation of a well-constructed Union through the

opening paragraph of the Federalist Paper no. 10, and analyzing the current state of

the nation under the possible threat faction might cause.

AMONG the numerous advantages promised by a well constructed Union,

none deserves to be more accurately developed than its tendency to break and

control the violence of faction. The friend of popular governments never finds

himself so much alarmed for their character and fate, as when he contemplates

their propensity to this dangerous vice. He will not fail, therefore, to set a due

value, on any plan which, without violating the principles to which he is

attached, provides a proper cure for it. (Federalist Paper no. 10 par.1)

These first opening sentences of Federalist Paper no. 10 might be a tad

confusing. People could possibly assume that Madison suggested anti-faction

sentiment by mentioning the word ―the violence of faction‖ and its ―propensity to the

dangerous vice‖ in the beginning. But in fact, through this opening paragraph of the

paper, James Madison simply tries to portray the possibility of a faction to break and

control the young nation since it is always given freedom to spread, as long as people

are free to express their self-interests. Due to the plenty access of freedom, there

should be an established authority to control the existence of faction. That is why

Madison mentioned earlier in the first sentence of the paragraph,

Among the numerous advantages promised by a well-constructed Union, none

deserves to be more accurately developed than its tendency to break and

control the violence of faction. (Madison, Federalist Paper no. 10)


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This part contains his expectation that only a well established Union could

prevent faction from damaging the nation. If there is no proper control from the

government, faction might damage the nation. Madison also stated his purpose in

making Federalist Paper no. 10, which is to provide a proper cure for the young

nation in dealing with faction.

It has always become government‘s responsibility to hold secure government

without forgetting its other main task which is guaranteeing people‘s rights and

safety. ―Their propensity to this dangerous vice‖ refers to factions‘ tendency in

breaking one unity into smaller groups based on people‘s different interests. However

clear Madison tried to express his argument in the opening of his Paper no. 10,

readers would assume that all factions are dangerous, even though Madison actually

does not try to induce such thought.

Madison proposed the ratification of Constitution to the people of New York,

so that central government will have more power and less dependent from 13 states.

The formation of good and strong central government is necessary so it can control

states member as well as the spread of faction in the United States. Here Madison

tried to use faction to nourish people‘s freedom of expression and to avoid

majoritarian system of government.

James Madison opened Federalist Paper no. 10 by stating his expectation that

one of the benefits of the well-constructed Union is that it is capable in controlling

the damage that factions might cause. This expectation however remained


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contradictory to the current state of the young nation at that time. Madison reviewed

the improvements made by the current legislation under the Articles of

Confederation,

The valuable improvements made by the American constitutions on the

popular models, both ancient and modern, cannot certainly be too much

admired; but it would be an unwarrantable partiality, to contend that they have

as effectually obviated the danger on this side, as was wished and expected.

Complaints are everywhere heard from our most considerate and virtuous

citizens, equally the friends of public and private faith, and of public and

personal liberty, that our governments are too unstable, that the public good is

disregarded in the conflicts of rival parties, and that measures are too often

decided, not according to the rules of justice and the rights of the minor party,

but by the superior force of an interested and overbearing majority.(Federalist

Paper no. 10)

The Articles of Confederation could not serve the nation's need in establishing

good governance. It provided too much freedom for states member, and weakened the

central government at the same time. This resulted in central government's inability in

handling internal political affairs in the first place so the nation could set itself as

independent nation. Public's needs were often ignored, laws worked based on what

major people have decided so it did not work based on people's account.

The Articles of Confederations itself has weakness which crippled the work of

the central government. In Madison's mind, what was being called as the weakness

here was the inability of the central government to control the states and their

conflicts. Public good was often decided by the winning factions and majorities.

The superior power of the majority could be seen on the Articles:


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(i) Under the Articles there was only a unicameral legislature so that there was

no separation of powers. There was neither executive branch to enforce the laws, nor

national court (judicial branch) to interpret the laws. Congress was the only body

served as the national government, yet it had no power in forcing the states to support

its decisions. Also, even though the states were united under the name of ―United

States of America‖, they formed a league of friendship in which they had the rights to

retain their sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction.

To put it simply, each state took care of its own business, while the Congress only

acted to glue the friendship bond among the states and not more than that. With

Congress limited act and was contained by one chamber only, issues with major votes

won without meaningful opposition from minor interests. There was no explicit body

to counteract the ambition made by major voices in the Congress; no executive

government to pilot the government, no judicial body to interpret laws.

(ii) For any major laws to pass they had to be approved by 9 or the 13 states

which proved difficult to do so that even the normal business of running a

government was difficult. It was continuously mentioned in Article IX, X, XI.

―…unless nine States assent to the same: nor shall a question on any other point,

except for adjourning from day to day be determined, unless by the votes of the

majority of the united States in congress assembled.‖ (US Articles of Confederation,

under ―Rights Granted by Federal Government‖ section). The nine states-requirement

rule was stated again in next two sections. This point in the Articles proves the

superiority of the majority, where the minor states‘ aspirations were ignored.


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The weak central government under The Articles, worsen by Shay‘s Rebellion

and US‘ financial crisis lead the nation‘s founding fathers to initiate the

Constitutional Convention. The Convention set off the debate between The Federalist

and the Anti-Federalist which had become the first rival factions, debating if they

should insert people‘s rights‘ list on the Constitution of United States, which was

discussed more on the previous chapter of literary review. There was also slavery

issue which triggered Civil War, dividing US into North and South. Factional

disputes, have existed since the Federalist era in which Madison defended the

Constitution as the first written constitution in force. Madison had been alarmed by

faction‘s possibility in giving dangerous threat. What James Madison tried to prove

on his Federalist Paper no. 10 is: instead of disapproving factional existence or ignore

it, we should take it for granted—and turned to the support of liberty and of

republican government.

James Madison previously had alarmed the readers of this Paper by stating the

possible threat caused by faction. As matter of fact, this condition was created by the

way American society grew the anti-party or anti-faction sentiment in the first place.

Central government‘s inability in guaranteeing people‘s welfare, worsen by the rival

states, causing people to hate factions. Economic crisis was enough in shaking

political foundation which was ruined at first by the weak central government. In

dealing with this situation, James Madison ‗prescribed‘ some ways in overcoming the

crisis.


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There are two methods of curing the mischiefs of faction: the one, by

removing its causes; the other, by controlling its effects.

There are again two methods of removing the causes of faction: the one, by

destroying the liberty which is essential to its existence; the other, by giving to

every citizen the same opinions, the same passions, and the same interests.

(Federalist Paper no. 10 par.4)

Madison‘s first prescription in handling the damage of faction is to remove

the cause of faction‘s existence. People‘s fear of faction and their assumptions that

faction is a mere threat drove Madison to prescribe the first method. It is possible to

remove the cause of faction existence, if the government along with the people

desired so. There was no rule controlling faction‘s existence, the young nation was in

chaos, people were threatened by each other‘s freedom of expression, and most

importantly, there was no law that regulated government‘s specific task to enforce

law and order. By Madison mentioning ‗to remove the cause of faction‘s existence‘

does not mean he blatantly endorsed the law to support this point. Madison

mentioned this point of removing the cause of faction‘s existence in Federalist Paper

no. 10 as one of the possible yet impractical ways in dealing with factions.

Madison later on broke down his first method and its ways to achieve it: (1)

Destroying liberty. And (2) Giving every citizen same opinions, same passions, and

same interests. Madison‘s option in removing the cause of faction is impractical.

Destroying liberty will be impossible since people always demand its presence. The

experience of being colonized by British government left traumatic experience over

US citizens. As a result, people demand more liberty in accessing their rights. Under

the Articles of Confederations, young United States set themselves with democratic


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form of government through representations from each state. Good democratic

government need to guarantee people‘s liberty as long as it does not infringe other

people‘s rights. Liberty has become the fundamental aspect which differentiates

United States from British Empire‘s oligarchy form of government.

Furthermore, James Madison elaborated why the first method in curing the

mischief of faction is impractical. He connected his thoughts of this to the nature of

man and how it is naturally shaped through society.

As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to exercise

it, different opinions will be formed. As long as the connection subsists

between his reason and his self-love, his opinions and his passions will have a

reciprocal influence on each other; and the former will be objects to which the

latter will attach themselves. The diversity in the faculties of men, from which

the rights of property originate, is not less an insuperable obstacle to a

uniformity of interests. (Federalist Paper no. 10 par.6)

As mortal creatures, men do have different opinions and they continue

forming their own ideas until the day they age. As long as men hold different

opinions, have different amount of wealth, and own different amount of property,

they will continue to mingle with people who are most similar to them. Both serious

and trivial reasons account for the formation of factions. Therefore Madison‘s first

method in curing the mischief of faction is not valid in the first place. Removing the

cause of faction‘s existence requires two ways: destroying people‘s liberty and the act

of uniforming people‘s interests, passions, opinions. Both ways are impractical; as

people keep evolving as more sophisticated creature. They need and will continue to

form ideas of their own, opinions, in which eventually attach themselves into

different interests. In summation, there is no way in uniforming people‘s interests.


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In supporting his ideas of impracticality of removing the cause of faction‘s

existence, Madison linked it to Locke‘s idea on the nature of man, as shown in

Federalist Paper no. 10:

The latent causes of faction are thus sown in the nature of man; and we see

them everywhere brought into different degrees of activity, according to the

different circumstances of civil society. A zeal for different opinions

concerning religion, concerning government, and many other points, as well

of speculation as of practice; an attachment to different leaders ambitiously

contending for pre-eminence and power; or to persons of other descriptions

whose fortunes have been interesting to the human passions, have, in turn,

divided mankind into parties, inflamed them with mutual animosity, and

rendered them much more disposed to vex and oppress each other than to co-

operate for their common good. (Federalist Paper no. 10)

However evil it may be, based-on-interest factions are inevitable since people

will always carry their self interests and it will automatically be nurtured by society

where they live. Formally or informally, people have the tendency to form groups

based on their self-interests, as one of their freedom of expressions. Ranged from

trivial issues to very serious ones, from issues concerning religions to governmental

issues, people‘s loyalty to certain political leaders of government may start the

formation of varied factions. These attachments to different interests, in turn, divide

people and possibly violating one another‘s rights. This condition threatened national

stability in two ways: first it is possible in dividing or breaking people‘s unity and let

people‘s interests clash which dangers their unity even more. Naturally, people tend

to protect themselves in the first place rather than sacrificing their interests for

common good. First method of removing faction existence fails, so does the second

method. Giving to every citizen the same opinions, the same passions, and the same

interests is impossible. This means, uniforming people‘s different characteristics, by


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force putting people‘s different ideas as one. This will make US become tyrannical

government which would operate based on the force to people. Therefore, logically,

people disapprove this type of tyrannical or totalitarian government. This condition

left the only option in dealing with the mischiefs of faction, which is to control its

effects.

2. People's Different Faculties

Madison‘s first method to handle the mischiefs of faction leaves important

point to ponder: that people naturally carry different interests depending on the

societies that raise them. People‘s different situations let them form their own

opinions, and eventually resulted in different interests. This condition also known as

the different faculties of men, where it is originated from people‘s different amount of

property.

The diversity in the faculties of men, from which the rights of property

originate, is not less an insuperable obstacle to a uniformity of interests. The

protection of these faculties is the first object of government. From the

protection of different and unequal faculties of acquiring property, the

possession of different degrees and kinds of property immediately results; and

from the influence of these on the sentiments and views of the respective

proprietors ensues a division of the society into different interests and parties.

(Federalist Paper no. 10)

The first method contains Madison‘s prescription in the effort of uniforming

people‘s opinions, passions, interests. It is true that forcing people to have same ideas

upon certain issues is a fruitless effort. Madison yet somehow managed to find a way

in creating people‘s similar view upon something: the need of protection of their


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different faculties. People realized they have something from life to value: their

dependence to money and any other sources of financial support. People realized they

come from different classes; and even though they have same rights and capacity to

access their rights, the different distribution of property has divided them into classes.

This condition has created people‘s demand of higher power‘s protection towards

their wealth. Young American government under Articles of Confederation could not

provide people such adequate protection, since the central government was ousted.

They needed new set of regulations which enable the central government in

actualizing people‘s demand of people‘s different faculties protection, moreover their

wealth.

James Madison got his way in shaping people‘s attention to one specific goal:

how to create a government that is responsible to its people‘s different virtues as well

as able in protecting their rights. Through Federalist Paper no. 10, Madison managed

to wake people‘s attention to the need of strong established government under

Constitution. In supporting people‘s consciousness upon their different distribution of

property, James Madison agreed on Locke‘s idea that property ownership holds

important factor in terms of people‘s way to behave in society. Locke stated,

Humans know what is right and wrong, and are capable of knowing what is

lawful and unlawful well enough to resolve conflicts. In particular, and most

importantly, they are capable of telling the difference between what is theirs

and what belongs to someone else. Regrettably they do not always act in

accordance with this knowledge. (D., James. Locke versus Hobbes, from

http://jim.com/hobbes.htm).

http://jim.com/hobbes.htm


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Even though Locke mentioned that men are born pure, without any intention

to harm other human beings or abuse social values, and that men are ruled by reason,

property ownership influences people‘s way to behave in treating others among

society. Therefore the peaceful state of nature ruled by men‘s reason might be

disturbed by the different distribution of property ownership.

Locke reasoned that the peaceful state of nature is possibly harmed since the

invention of monetary system:

Keadaan alamiah yang penuh damai itu berubah setelah manusia menemukan

sistem moneter dan uang. Penemuan itu menyebabkan terjadinya proses

akumulasi kapital dan pembenaran atas hak-hak pemilikan. Inilah menurut

Locke kemudian menjadi sumber malapetaka manusia. Sebelum

ditemukannya uang, perbedaan kekayaan antara sesama manusia tidak begitu

mencolok, sebab orang tidak akan mengumpulkan benda-benda kebutuhan

hidupnya melebihi apa yang dibutuhkan dan dikonsumsikannya. (Suhelmi,

2001, p. 191-192)

Locke mentioned that people‘s peaceful state of nature changes since they invent

monetary system and money. Naturally, after getting to know money and how to use

it, people will start valuing things with numbers, and this will justify their actions in

owning things. Before monetary system was invented, people bartered things to get

what they needed, without being obsessed in collecting things, compared to what

modern people do with money. Ancient people used to be less complicated by only

trading basic things as the part of survival process. Since the invention of monetary

system, people started to use money to value things, to get what they want instead of

what they need, to form groups which benefit them in return. To sum up, money has


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become the reason why people gather and form some sorts of alliance which can give

them mutual financial/political advantages.

Social gap between rich and poor exists, because each person has different

amount of wealth. Property is divided unequally, and in addition, there are many

different kinds of property; men have different interests depending upon the kind of

property they own. For instance, the interests of landowners differ from those who

own businesses. Government must not only protect the conflicting interests of

property owners; it must, at the same time, successfully regulate the conflicts that

result from those who own, and those who do not own property. Madison realized

that this unequal distribution of property is one of the most common source of

faction, as he puts it in Federalist Paper no. 10.

But the most common and durable source of factions has been the various and

unequal distribution of property. Those who hold and those who are without

property have ever formed distinct interests in society. Those who are

creditors, and those who are debtors, fall under a like discrimination. A landed

interest, a manufacturing interest, a mercantile interest, a moneyed interest,

with many lesser interests, grow up of necessity in civilized nations, and

divide them into different classes, actuated by different sentiments and views.

The regulation of these various and interfering interests forms the principal

task of modern legislation, and involves the spirit of party and faction in the

necessary and ordinary operations of the government. (Federalist Paper no.

10)

Since property ownership being distributed unequally, people of different

classes will be having different interests as well. Taking people with landed interest, a

manufacturing interest, a mercantile interest, a moneyed interest, with many lesser

interests as relevant samples at that time, Madison tried to explain that people with

different amount of wealth will simply form classes or groups based on their financial


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interest. Hypothetically speaking, the different interest influences their actions in

responding government‘s policies. As a result, different views, sentiments, will be

formed.

3. Extended Republic as the Fittest Form of Government

Compared to the previous system under Articles of Confederations, the

Constitution provides more protection. The US Constitution divides government into

three separated branches which exercise its power on different levels. Since

government is the realization of people‘s demands, its main task is to secure the

rights of the people; therefore in protecting the rights of the people, government must

be vested with certain degree of authority from the governed (the people).

Under Articles of Confederation, the 13 states were more controlling than

central government. Every time central government tried to pass a law, it had to be

under all states‘ approval; otherwise the law would not be ratified. Each of the 13

States put their interests in the first place before putting national interest in

considering national policies. If what central government offered did not benefit the

13 states, they would not approve it. Politically, the United States could not be run

with such unhealthy governmental system where the States member acted selfishly in

deciding national interest. The national government was weak because it consisted of

only legislative branch (unicameral), without separation of powers. There were no

additional supports to the central government, like the executive branch which would


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pilot the states member in deciding national interests; or judicial branch which would

interpret the law or determine the constitutionality of the law. Even, the power of

Congress was limited. They could not force the states to prioritize national interests.

No man is allowed to be a judge in his own cause, because his interest would

certainly bias his judgment, and, not improbably, corrupt his integrity. With

equal, nay with greater reason, a body of men are unfit to be both judges and

parties at the same time; yet what are many of the most important acts of

legislation, but so many judicial determinations, not indeed concerning the

rights of single persons, but concerning the rights of large bodies of citizens?

(Madison, Federalist Paper no. 10)

Human is a creature of interest. Raised and nurtured by society, they will

carry transferrable self-expectations from the people around, as well as their own.

And as long as they live and carry expectations, this might cloud their judgments in

deciding things. Under the Articles of Confederation, the Union was not solid, lack of

consolidation. 13 states worked independently, defending their own needs and rights.

Consequently there was small chance for the chosen officers or statesmen of each

state to function for national need‘s sake. A body of men, in this case the Congress

under Articles of Confederation, could not do justice to the political system of the

Union. Furthermore, it could not protect people‘s need as Madison said, ―..unfit to be

both judges and parties at the same time,‖ since states‘ representatives did not use

their good will as statesmen to give best decision as they represent the people of

United States; but merely as congressmen who were jealous at each other. Congress

needed other branches that would balance their power, to make them doing their job

as US people rest their trust in them in guaranteeing national‘s need. To counteract

any selfish policies they made, to implement and enforce laws, to interpret laws and


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decide if there is any political misconduct done in the government. To sum up,

government under Articles of Confederation did not give enough power to establish

strong central government to manage the 13 states.

Citing another paper of Madison, Federalist Paper no. 51, Madison mentioned

that ―..ambition must be made to counteract ambition.‖ The Constitution of United

States was designed to work based on people‘s demands. It divides the national

government into three branches that work together as checks and balances system.

Those three branches are the legislative, executive, and judiciary branches, and each

of them has specific tasks as written in the Constitution, and described in separate

articles.

Madison prescribed republican form of government as the proper cure of it.

This statement will be analyzed based on two points of view: (1). Why this statement

is justifiable, by mentioning Madison‘s musings why he suggested republican form of

government on Federalist Paper no. 10 which could be achieved through Constitution

(2). What kind of republican government, specifically, which fits the characteristics

of United States.

Opening his ideas in introducing republican system of government through

Constitution ratification, James Madison stated

The inference to which we are brought is, that the causes of faction cannot be

removed, and that relief is only to be sought in the means of controlling its

effects.

If a faction consists of less than a majority, relief is supplied by the republican

principle, which enables the majority to defeat its sinister views by regular


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vote. It may clog the administration, it may convulse the society; but it will be

unable to execute and mask its violence under the forms of the Constitution.

(Madison, Federalist Paper no. 10)

Madison mentioned that the possible solution in dealing with factions was to

control its effects, and this solution was provided by republican system of

government. He tried to convey the fact that republican system was what the young

United States needed, under the Constitution guidance. He mentioned how republican

system supported fairness and transparency among the people because one interest

cannot overwhelmingly conquer others, there will be checks and balances among one

interest to others hence there will be no tyranny of the majority. The amount of

neglected interests can be minimalized under republican system; as in, everyone‘s

aspirations are counted. The practice of republican system might be more

complicated than that of direct democracy, but under the Constitution, republican

system promises more law and order as well as social welfare to the people of US. In

order to magnify the goodness of republican principle under Constitution guidance,

Madison pointed out the differences between republican system itself and pure

democracy (direct democracy). He gave clear definitions of each system, analyzed,

and then compared them to emphasize that republican system is better than direct

democracy.

James Madison linked the comparison of direct democracy system vs.

Republican system to the history of US settlement, when the young nation usually

held town meetings to discuss important issues. In these meetings, most of a

community‘s citizens gathered in the town hall to discuss and decide on the local


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issues of the day. Town meeting was first form of direct democracy that the United

States had once, in their early settlement. After years of occupancy, US government

changed and operated under the Articles of Confederations. This phenomenon

developed later on, as evolutionary step from direct democracy to government with

republican system under Constitution. Madison‘s intentions in comparing the two

aforementioned systems were to mark the political evolution of the States, and to

emphasize that the search of the fittest form of government reached its finale through

the idea of having republican system under Constitution guidance.

Madison concluded pure democracy as ―…a society consisting of a small

number of citizens, who assemble and administer the government in person, can

admit of no cure for the mischiefs of faction. (Federalist Paper no. 10)”. According

to Madison, direct or pure democracy which means government by the masses,

cannot give advantages to the US government, because it could not provide the cure

for the mischiefs of faction. This is because in direct democracy, those who become

the part of major interest will get the most benefits, while the need of lesser member

could be neglected, since through direct democracy major people‘s voices would

always win. What Madison was trying to achieve when he prescribed republican

system for US, was the kind of government that would benefit all, the one that will

safeguard private rights and public good, without neglecting minor rights or the risk

of witnessing tyranny of the majority.

Madison interjected, ―there is nothing to check the inducements to sacrifice

the weaker party or an obnoxious individual”. In direct democracy, there are no other


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political bodies that will check the decisions of the masses since those decisions

purely come from major people‘s voices. As a result, majority will win, regardless the

question of morality of certain individual. Direct democracy works well only on

small number of citizens, but it might not be the case with a big country with a great

number of citizens. Consisting of thirteen states, it was difficult for central

government to count each and every voice of the people. Direct democracy is made

possible due to the limited number of citizens. Greece‘s city states‘ practice of direct

democracy is explained by A. Suhelmi in his book Pemikiran Politik Barat:

Negara-negara kota Yunani klasik juga berbeda dengan negara-negara modern

dewasa ini, baik dilihat dari luas wilayahnya, struktur sosial, jumlah

penduduk, maupun lembaga-lembaga politiknya. Luas wilayah kekuasaan

negara kota umumnya tidak melebihi luas dari propinsi terkecil di Indonesia

sekalipun. Jumlah penduduknya sekitar tiga puluh ribu orang. Jumlah

penduduk relatif kecil memungkinkan anggota-anggota negara kota untuk

saling mengenal dan memahami. Komunikasi politik juga tidak terlalu sukar

dalam negara kota berjumlah penduduk relatif kecil itu. Karena itulah sistem

demokrasi langsung (direct democracy) bisa dilaksanakan secara baik di

negara-negara kota itu. (Suhelmi, 2001, p. 27)

It is possible to apply direct democracy to small city states. The relatively

fewer amount of citizens made communications from one person to another easier;

people know each member of city states better and as a result, similar interest or

political atmosphere could be created.

US is one country made up of many parts. For such large geographical area

with diverged population like United States, conducting direct democracy is difficult.

Different geographical situations created different amount of wealth, and different

amount of wealth created different interest for people. With such large area and vastly


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varied interests, people who governed would put bits of their interests to govern

others. This situation could create what Madison called as obnoxious individual, and

that would result in negligence of the rights of minorities.

Madison therefore suggested republic as the solution, instead of direct

democracy. He defines republic ―A republic, by which I mean a government in which

the scheme of representation takes place, opens a different prospect, and promises

the cure for which we are seeking.” (Federalist Paper no. 10). The form republican

government becomes Madison‘s product of political philosophy as his realization of

ideal government which safeguards people‘s rights and still promotes public good.

And by republic, Madison emphasized that a ―government in which the scheme of

representation takes place‖.

The two great points of difference between a democracy and a republic are:

first, the delegation of the government, in the latter, to a small number of

citizens elected by the rest; secondly, the greater number of citizens, and

greater sphere of country, over which the latter may be extended. (Madison,

Federalist Paper no 10).

Firstly, in terms of representation: different from direct democracy, republican

system delegates its power to certain amount of people who are chosen by whole

citizens. Those people are elected by the will of people, and in return, act to represent

people‘s rights. If direct democracy‘s highest power lies directly on people‘s voices,

republican system‘s highest power still lies on people, but it is represented by few

whom being elected by the rest. Secondly, republican system is ideal for nations with

large geographical area. This system is more adjustable than direct democracy, for

direct democracy only works in small areas. Adjustable, because in large areas


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citizens are divided into some sub-areas (provinces) and each sub-area will have

certain amount of people to represent its people‘s rights.

These differences created further implication. The voices of people which

being represented by some chosen citizens may best decide the true interest of the

whole nation. Madison strengthened by mentioning “Under such a regulation, it may

well happen that the public voice, pronounced by the representatives of the people,

will be more consonant to the public good than if pronounced by the people

themselves, convened for the purpose. (Federalist Paper no. 10). If people‘s interests

are being represented by no other than themselves, the winning major interest will be

taken as the final decision for the nation, while the minority will be put aside. For

such large states especially United States this situation is unfair; each individual has

different interest from one another. In republican system, nation‘s decision will be

taken from people‘s representatives in central government. And these representatives

are people‘s choices who understand the people that they represent. On the contrary,

representatives have questionable morals. Having representatives run the government

does not necessarily avoid political misconducts, ―On the other hand, the effect may

be inverted. Men of factious tempers, of local prejudices, or of sinister designs, may,

by intrigue, by corruption, or by other means, first obtain the suffrages, and then

betray the interests, of the people.‖ (Federalist Paper no. 10). Since people are

naturally born with certain interests which nurtured by society, they can sacrifice the

interests of the society to achieve their personal ambitions. To put simply, there are

two types of statesmen: those who are faithful to their causes, loyally defending the


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rights of the people; and those who use people‘s trusts to get voted and betray them

by putting their self interest above all.

The next thing to ponder is how to decide whether small or extensive

republics are more favorable in minimalizing the negative side of republican system.

Madison favored extensive republic against small republic.

Extend the sphere, and you take in a greater variety of parties and interests;

you make it less probable that a majority of the whole will have a common

motive to invade the rights of other citizens; or if such a common motive

exists, it will be more difficult for all who feel it to discover their own

strength, and to act in unison with each other. (Madison, Federalist Paper no.

10)

What Madison meant by extending here is not merely about expanding US

territory. Before the Constitutional Convention was held, there was a riot caused by

central government‘s inability in assuring people‘s welfare. The Union almost faced

its doom for the lack of law and order. Here came Madison‘s idea of extended

republic, a republican system of government which is applied in nation with large

territories. From the statement above James Madison argued that through extended

republic system there will be more parties and interests, moreover it will prevent the

existence of majoritarian party and/or tyranny from the strongest group of interest.

The smaller the society, there will be fewer variations of parties or interests, and the

more likely a majority will be found. The strongest party with the most interest will

conquer, and the voices of minority will get neglected. Through extended republican

system, people are given varied candidates from states members, candidates are not


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limited only by those from certain areas or degree of fame. People have equal rights

in being elected as long as they have certain qualities to be elected.

There are some advantages that a nation with large territories as United States

will have for applying extended republican system, compared to that of direct

democracy, in controlling the effects of faction. Direct democracy does not suit the

character of nations with large territories, since the central government cannot control

every citizen‘s aspirations. Majority will be easily found and violates the rights of

minor interests. There are fewer characters to find to be people‘s representations.

Extended republic provides greater option of fit characters, and greater probability of

a fit choice; it also guarantees people‘s rights in getting represented, since large areas

will have varied interests and this lessens the probability of neglected minor interests.

In legalizing the extended republican system, the Union needed to ratify the

proposed Constitution. Federalist paper no. 10 gives true and thorough depiction of

how US government should be operated, related to the core issue of human nature in

the form of people‘s varied self-interest.

B. James Madison's Political Philosophy

Reflected in the Constitution

There are three main points that can be concluded as the result of Madison's

political philosophy on the paper no. 10. Those are: the nature of faction (the state of

nature), the protection of people's different faculty, and extended republic as the


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fittest form of government for the US. The three aforementioned points are solidified

in the Constitution. US Constitution becomes the crystallization of founders' political

achievement, especially for James Madison. We can see the contribution of ideas that

James Madison offered in the Constitution, most importantly for the formation of

constitutionalized representative government as the application of extended republic.

The formation of extended republican system can be seen through United

States governmental system and its division of powers: executive, legislative,

judiciary powers and it is lawfully written in US Constitution. The structure of the

Constitution covers the protection of people‘s different faculties as well as natural

rights, which is proven in Constitution‘s preamble. Points written in the preamble are

taken as the realization of the effort to protect people, specifically to protect their

freedom in accessing their rights. The existence of natural rights provides reason for

factions to form. It grows from the demands of the people to express their truest self

interests. What becomes the main job of the government is to protect the rights of its

people. And this protection, becomes real when Madison proposed his theory of

extended republican which is realized through the Constitution.

Madison admitted the importance of faction as people‘s medium of self

expressions. Yet just like two sides of a coin, faction also has negative tendencies,

which can get worst when the government cannot take proper control to it. After

explaining the danger that faction might cause, Madison introduced the systemic form

of government under republican principle, specifically the extended republican

system, and the need to control faction. ―A republic, by which I mean a government


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in which the scheme of representation takes place, opens a different prospect, and

promises the cure for which we are seeking.‖ (Federalist Paper no. 10). In the point of

representation, previous government under Articles of Confederation did not feature

young US with strong central government. This happened because of the lack of

authority from central government to the states. The states did not reward their trusts

to central government, and by all means they tried to create controllable central

government so it would work based on the states‘ demands. Through Federalist Paper

no. 10, Madison explained his version of ideal government by proposing extended

republican system.

To show the connection between James Madison‘s political philosophy and

the Constitution, we need to re-evaluate the substantial elements in each of the two in

two ways: (i) the core of Madison‘s political philosophy, and (ii) the content of

Constitution itself. First, Madison‘s political philosophy is summarized in his idea of

extended republican government of which its system is formed by adjustable

representations or government on chosen body of citizens. Second, the Constitution

rules the formation of US government under republican system, which also works by

means of representation. And this scheme of representation based on Madison‘s

political philosophy is clearly seen especially by the existence of Congressional

membership (legislative branch) and is secured by the existence of checks and

balances, which protects the application of government by the people through a

chosen body of citizens.


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Madison‘s idea of extended republican government can be seen through the

Constitution‘s content. In other words, Constitution of United States solidifies

Madison‘s philosophical thinking of ideal government. Madison defined a republic in

two related points. ―A republic, by which I mean a government in which the scheme

of representation takes place…‖ (Federalist Paper no. 10). First, as stated on the

Federalist Paper no. 10 Madison underlined the point of representation to differ this

system from pure democracy which was experienced by the United States in its early

settlement. ―..the greater number of citizens, and greater sphere of country, over

which the latter (republican system) may be extended.‖ (Federalist Paper no. 10).

This point of representation is clearly seen through US legislative‘s branch formation.

Second, Madison defined republic by emphasizing the flexibility of a

republican government. Seeing the States‘ large geographical area, it is impossible to

apply direct democracy. Republican fits best because each state will be represented

through a body of selected citizens, called Congress based on its population.

“Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their

respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding

Indians not taxed.” (The Constitution of United States, Article I, Section 2 – The

House http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html#Am14S2). In the context of

Constitution, the word ―apportioned” means that each state gets a number based on

its population. Large areas with more population will have more seats in Congress

since they represent more interests compared to smaller states. Small states‘ people

tend to have more similar interests because geographically, they are not as vastly

http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html#Am14S2


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spread as large states‘ societies; population number is lesser, hence there will be

fewer interests to be found and more people with same interest to gather. With large

states having more seats in Congress, the tyranny by majority can be minimalized, for

each state‘s demands can be fairly delivered through their representatives. Hence,

there will be no ignored interests, because all aspirations are counted as well as

represented.

The key element of Madison‘s political philosophy is the republican system

that he had advocated; and representative government becomes the spirit of

republican system. Thus republican system and representative government are two

inseparable things which are formed in Madison‘s mind. In strengthening the point of

representation in republican system, Madison noted that a republic is run by ―chosen

body of citizens, whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of their country‖

(Federalist Paper no. 10). The interests of whole people are decided by their

representations in the government. US people reward them with trusts in voicing their

aspirations for a greater good. Constitution of United States rules the formation of a

republic through its division of tasks for the government done by the chosen body of

citizens. This is proven in the existence of three different branches of government

(legislative, executive, judicial branch) especially the legislative branch, since it is

consisted of people‘s representations, with its divided tasks. The general definition of

a republic quoted below gives a clearer of what republican government is and how it

is closely related to the point of representation,


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The definition of a Republic is: a constitutionally limited government of the

representative type, created by a written Constitution--adopted by the people

and changeable (from its original meaning) by them only by its amendment--

with its powers divided between three separate Branches: Executive,

Legislative and Judicial. Here the term "the people" means, of course, the

electorate.‖ (Long, Hamilton Abert. (1976). An Important Distinction:

Democracy versus Republic. Sec.3, par.1 )

Through the general definition of a republic above, the existence of written

Constitution rules the operating government. Its purpose is to make sure that

government works based on people‘s demands and there will be no violation of their

rights. The composition of this type of government is limited. Feature which

differentiates a republic from other well-known political system such as British‘s

monarch is the existence of the three branches of government: legislative, executive,

judicial branch. These three branches‘ works are guided by the Constitution and being

given its specific tasks in it. This division of branch is also called as the Separation of

Power, where the three branches‘ main purpose is to prevent the majority to rule.

Through US‘ separation of power each branch has equal power: the powers of one

branch can be challenged by another branch (checks and balances). There is no

certain branch which is too powerful compared to the rest, because the Constitution

has divided to each branch to have certain powers so they can use it to check and

balance the operations or powers from the other branches.

The existence of checks and balances system perfects the application of

Madison‘s theory of extended republican government. Checks and balances exists to

secure the government, to protect the operating government from abuse of powers

done by any branch of government. With checks and balances system, each of the


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three branches can limit the powers of others. As a result, one branch cannot be too

powerful over others. Each branch will ―check‖ other branches to make sure that the

power is ―balanced‖ between them.

In terms of contextual and content, the Constitution is possible for changes. It

is open for amendments, and the method of changing the content is also written in the

Constitution. Yet in fact the Constitution has become the oldest Federal constitution

in existence, not to mention its compact and to the point contents.

The Constitution of United States itself is reviving Madison‘s basic idea to

form a government which safeguards people‘s rights and promotes public good.

Constitution divides the tasks of three branches of the government, which functions

in securing the political life of the nation through checks and balances system.

Legislative branch‘s membership comes from people‘s representations and this is

inspired by Madison‘s thought on government by chosen body of citizens.

C. United States Constitution and the Implementation

of Extended Republicanism

This part will be about understanding US Constitution in brief through 5 key

concepts, and to see how amazingly durable this document has served the needs of

US citizens since the day it has been ratified. The purpose of this part is to know what

US Constitution really is, as well as to depict the implementation of Madison‘s

political philosophy in it.


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Before discussing about each part of The Constitution, we need to remember

that The Constitution works together with the Declaration of Independence. The

Declaration of Independence serves as the charter, or purpose document for the

United States: why United States was founded and the core principle why it was

founded. And US Constitution serves as bylaws document that contains about the

organizational document and how it will govern people.

Craig (2009) mentioned that understanding basic structure of United States

Constitution is quite easy. The total length of US Constitution is over 4,500 words.

About 4,000 of these words describe how the three branches of government are to

operate. And another 400 words describe relationship between the states and the

process of making amendments to the Constitution.

United States Constitution‘s Preamble is the most important part in the

Constitution. This opening 52 words out of 45,000 is not many yet the most important

part of the Constitution. It explains the six core purposes for which the Constitution

was written, and these six core purposes serve to define and limit the remaining

words of the Constitution. The first 52 words, or known as the Preamble, stated: ―We

the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish

Justice, ensure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the

general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity,

do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.‖ (U.S

Constitution – Preamble from http://www.usconstitution.net/xconst_preamble.html).

From this 52-words-Preamble, we can infer six key aspects that ―We, the people of

http://www.usconstitution.net/xconst_preamble.html


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the United States‖ in order to connect states, to establish justice, to ensure peace, to

provide for defense, to promote the general welfare, and to secure liberty now and for

future. Simplicity, had been applied by the Framers when they wrote the Constitution.

This short Preamble has defined and divided the rest of the remaining words in the

Constitution. The opening sentence said, ―We the people‖ for the Framers aimed this

document to be everyman, to be accepted and as a proof that this document was made

as the representation of all people in United States.

Preamble Interpretation

We the People of the United

States, in Order:

- To form a more perfect Union

- To establish Justice

- To ensure domestic Tranquility

- To provide for the common

defense

- To promote the general Welfare

- To secure the Blessings of Liberty

to ourselves and our Posterity

We the people of the United States, in

order:

- To connect states

- To establish justice

- To ensure peace

- To provide for defense

- To promote the general welfare

- To secure liberty now and for

future

To form a perfect union can be interpreted into to connect states, for the

Union was very fragile at that time, it was divided based on interest. And worse,

central government was lack of power since Congress membership was not equal to


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the amount of the people they represented. Under the Articles of Confederation,

Congressional membership was equal regardless of the population. And this caused

chaotic condition for people brought varied interests with them. This conflicting

interests in Congressional body could not be solved easily under the Articles of

Confederation, thus James Madison along with Edmund Randolph suggested the

Virginia Plan or Large State Plan where Congressional membership is determined

also by the amount of population of the states.

We simply understand the next three points stated in the preamble which are

establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, and provide common defense. The fifth

point among six important keys that defines US Constitution is to promote the

general welfare. To promote the general welfare as understood in 1787 do not mean

the modern welfare government program as US government have today, but that

means to create equal economic opportunity for all the citizens of United States. And

the last point is to secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity

which can be interpreted as to secure liberty for now and for future. Everything else

in the Constitution is supposed to serve only these six purposes.

One defining character of the Constitution is the Checks and Balances. It

gives the power for each branch to exercise some form of power over the other

branches. ―For example, justices of the Supreme Court (judiciary) are appointed by

the president (executive), but their appointments are subject to the consent of the U.S.

Senate (legislative). Likewise, the judiciary can strike down as unconstitutional laws

passed by Congress and signed by the president.‖ (―Checks and Balances‖. U.S.


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Department of State's Bureau of International Information Programs, par.2). From

this example we can see that no single branch of government exercise too much

power.

The next part of the Constitution will be the Articles encompassing the three

branches of the Government, The Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary branch.

(Seibert, Craig. 2009. ―Understanding the U.S. Constitution part 1- 5 Key Concepts

Everyone Should Know‖)

The first branch that is listed in Article One of the Constitution is the

Legislative branch, called Congress. Congress consists of The House of

Representatives and the Senate.

Article 1 of the Constitution gives Congress many exclusive powers: to

declare war, to maintain armed forces, to impose taxes and duties, to borrow

money and pay debts, to spend money, to regulate the money supply, to

regulate interstate commerce and foreign trade, to regulate immigration and


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naturalization, to establish courts lower than the Supreme Court, to establish

post offices and roads, and to protect patents and copyrights. (―Congress‖.

U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Information Programs,

par.11)

We need to underline the fact that the Founders believed the House of

Representatives would be slightly more powerful than other branches of government,

since House of Representatives is the closest to the People. This needs to be linked

back on the history of United States‘ Congress. Before ratifying the US Constitution,

under the Articles of Confederation Congress was unicameral body in which each

state had one vote. Constitutional convention discussed about Congress‘ lack of

power, and hence opened proposal debate between James Madison‘s Virginia Plan

and William Patterson‘s New Jersey Plan.

Essentially, the Virginia Plan proposed a strong national government that

could make and enforce laws, and collect taxes. The people would be

governed by two governments - the state and national. A system such as this

is known as a Federal system of government. Additionally, both houses of the

legislature would feature proportional representation; basically, this means

that the more people a state has, the more representatives it gets in the

legislature. Clearly, larger states favored this plan. (Chin & Stern, 1997, par.1)

The opponent of this plan, the New Jersey Plan and states supporting the plan

was panicking, thinking of the possibility of Virginia Plan getting approved by the

Convention. If this plan passed, the smaller states would not be as powerful as big

states in the government.

The debate over the Virginia Plan grew quite heated, and finally the small

states asked for time to draw up their own plan, known as the New Jersey

Plan. Its legislature only had one house which featured equal representation -

each state gets the same number of representatives. This way, smaller states

had the same power in the legislature as larger states. (Chin & Stern, 1997,

par.2)


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The New Jersey Plan was rejected as the basis of the new Constitution since it

was still the old form of Congressional composition based on the Articles of

Confederation. Virginia Plan was picked based on the fact that it supports the

bicameral legislative branch. It was drafted by James Madison, and presented by

Edmund Randolph. Virginia Plan was used as the basic idea of how should new

Congressional membership under the US Constitution be, with some modification

through the Great Compromise.

The great Compromise becomes the bridge to actualize the ideal and fair

Congressional composition of large and small states. ―The Compromise was

submitted to the constitutional convention to break the deadlock created by the New

Jersey Plan and The Virginia Plan. The convention decided, after months of debate,

that the legislature will be bicameral, meaning there will be two houses, one house

will have equal representation, while the other is based on population of the state.‖

(Casutto, George. ―The Compromise of the Century: Larger and Smaller States Unite

(June 30th, 1787), par.5‖). The Great Compromise is also known as the Connecticut

Compromise because this idea was initiated by Connecticut delegate, Roger Sherman.

The next branch of government stated in the Constitution after the Legislative

branch is the Executive branch. We can see from the chart of the Constitution which

is bracketed into such fashion, that the Constitution's list of powers granted to the

president or the mandatory of the Executive branch is much shorter than the list of

powers granted to Congress. President of United States‘ roles and responsibilities are:

to be commander in chief, to appoint ambassadors, judges, and officers, to enforce the


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law of United States, to sign treaties and receive ambassadors, to grant pardons, to

give the State of Union to Congress. The Constitution basically requires the President

to uphold the Constitution and execute faithfully the law of the United States. In

terms of electability, Article 2 section 1 of the Constitution mentions, ―The executive

Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold

his Office during the Term of four years,..‖

(http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html#A2Sec1). But then in 1951 amendment

restricted any person to only two elected terms as president (―The President‖. U.S.

Department of State's Bureau of International Information Programs.). Therefore the

President of the United States can be elected twice only, with four years term each.

Third part in Constitution after the Executive branch will be the Judicial

branch, or Supreme Court. Their responsibilities are: to take appeals from citizens,

courts and states, to make principle judgments, to ensure jury trials, and to uphold the

Constitution. In relation to Supreme Courts‘ function in ‗upholding the Constitution‘,

there is a common mistake now how people might think that Supreme Court is the

only one to be responsible with the contents of the Constitution; whilst in fact all the

three branches of United States government are responsible in upholding the

Constitution, not just the Supreme Court.

There is additional part of the Constitution that has been added shortly after

the ratification, consists of the first ten amendments named the Bill of Rights. Bill of

Rights is the concise listing of the rights of the citizens of the United States as well as

the states, and there are ten items in the Bill of Rights. The discussion of Bill of


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Rights started the debate between the Federalist and the Anti Federalist in

Constitutional Convention.

What is interesting to note is that when the Constitutional Convention finished

its work, it did not find it necessary to include a bill of rights in the final

version. Several members, notably George Mason, were very disappointed by

this decision and refused to sign the document over the issue. The argument

was that the Constitution did not give the new federal government the ability

to restrict inherent rights, so no list of those rights was necessary. Others

worried that if the rights were listed, they would invariably forget some and

the list would ever be incomplete. Finally, the argument was that the states

each had their own constitutions, too, and that rights were best protected at a

state level. (The Bill of Rights, from

http://www.usconstitution.net/consttop_bor.html)

From all issues that the Anti-Federalist gave when they rejected the

Constitution, the lack of Bill of Rights was the most debated one. American people

had just fought a war to defend their rights, and they did not want the controlling

government take their rights again. Therefore Anti Federalist fought for the rights-

listing in the Constitution. Whilst The Federalist thought that listing of rights can be

dangerous because it might hamper the non-listed ones. Because there are actually

many rights that should be protected, and the founders (Constitution drafters) were

afraid if they missed some points of people‘s rights. So it would be better to list none

at all.

Overall, the Federalists were more organized in their efforts. By June of 1788,

the Constitution was close to ratification. Nine states had ratified it, and only

one more (New Hampshire) was needed. To achieve this, the Federalists

agreed that once Congress met, it would draft a Bill of Rights. Finally, New

York and Virginia approved, and the Constitution was a reality. (Chin &

Stern, 1997, par.5)

Finally, The Federalists agreed to add Bill of Rights to realize Constitution

ratification. Bill of Rights was not originally apart of the Constitution, yet it finally

http://www.usconstitution.net/consttop_bor.html


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becomes the inseparable element of US Constitution. Bill of Rights‘ presence can be

seen as founders‘ way in mentioning the protection of people‘s rights. Or, in

Madison‘s way, becomes the protection of people‘s natural rights and different

faculties. Drafted by Madison, Bill of Rights consists of limitation to the government

and listing of certain rights of the people. In summation, it contains what framers

thought as the basic important rights of the people, for instance: the freedom of

religion, freedom of assembly, freedom of speech and freedom of expression. James

Madison actually hesitated to include these first ten amendments since listing people

rights could be dangerous enough. He was afraid that the list could be endless, since

government needs to consider its people‘s rights carefully in minimalizing the risk of

rights-violation. Yet eventually to reach a concession and to save more energy,

Madison agreed to draft the Bill of Rights which ended the debate between Federalist

and anti-Federalist.


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CHAPTER IV

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

A. Conclusion

This research focuses on Madison’s political philosophy stated in Federalist

Paper no. 10. The purposes of this research are to find out James Madison’s political

philosophy as well as how United States Constitution reflects James Madison’s

political philosophy. Federalist Paper no. 10 contains Madison’s most recognized

political philosophy related to the conduct of US political system. Those political

philosophies are: the nature of faction (the state of nature), the protection of people’s

different faculty, and the formation of extended republican system as the fittest form

of government.

Madison’s first political philosophy stated in the Federalist Paper no. 10 is

about the nature of faction (the state of nature). Since faction is inevitable and thus

becomes the element of society, the only thing that the government needs to do is

controlling the growth of faction. By controlling does not mean restricting, or even

limiting. Controlling means to put things into order, and creating laws in such

fashion, therefore no one’s rights are being neglected. In prescribing the fittest form

of government, James Madison analyzed the nature of man so that his ideal form of

government can serve people’s need.

Madison’s second political philosophy in the Federalist Paper no. 10 is about

the protection of people’s different faculties. In relation to his first idea about the


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nature of faction, He stated that people’s interests are divided based on property

ownership. Factions are formed based on people’s different interests, and one of the

things that divide people into different groups is their different capacity (faculty),

rooted in people’s different distribution of wealth. Echoing Jon Locke, Madison

mentioned that property ownership holds important factor in terms of people’s way to

behave in society. It cannot be neglected that people were born equal, but the society

who raise them transfer their values and this includes on how they perceive wealth.

Since the invention of monetary system, people value money as medium to measure

their success in life. In modern time, money becomes the tool for people to gather

mass, to form alliances which can give them mutual benefits. Putting in the Union

context at that time, people’s different amount of property was possible in dividing

them into several interests which might break and control the nation if it was not

being properly controlled. Those who are creditors, debtors, landed interests,

manufacturing interests, mercantile interests, moneyed interests, with many lesser

interests, divide people into different views and sentiments. The different amount of

wealth will divide people into different groups, and thus influence their actions in

responding government’s policies. It has become the task of government to secure the

interests of the people and to protect their rights; accessing or managing wealth

becomes one of government’s tasks. Under the Articles of Confederation US people’s

rights were not being properly protected. Therefore US founders including James

Madison strongly urged the Constitution ratification and the realization of law and

order under Constitution’s guidance.


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Madison’s third political philosophy stated in the Federalist Paper no. 10

discussed about extended republican system under Constitution. This could also be

the product of Madison’s intellectual thinking for it contains the principles of ideal

government from Madison’s mind. By having extended republican system is not

merely about expanding US territory. It is more about how to unite all states member

under one flag of a Union and to form stronger, better system of government. The

extended republican principle by Madison covers the population-based Congressional

membership (House of Representatives), to prevent majoritarian in the central

government’s body. This noble expectation was achieved when US finally ratified the

Constitution to replace Articles of Confederation. Madison compared the ancient

form of direct democracy and extended republican system in order to find the

goodness of extended republican system.

All three ideas of James Madison stated on Federalist Paper no. 10 are well

expressed in parts of the Constitution. Constitution covers the division of tasks for the

central government and the formation of extended republican system as what

Madison prescribed on his Paper no. 10. Government’s main purpose in protecting

people’s different faculties and natural rights are stated in Constitution’s Preamble.

Central government under Constitution realized that people are different; they have

needs, and rights to be protected. Government also realized that people are naturally

diverged, thus Constitution’s Preamble states government’s commitment to build the

better the new United States, which operates based on people’s demand. To form a

more perfect Union, to establish Justice, to ensure domestic Tranquility, to provide


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for the common defense, to promote the general welfare, to secure the Blessings of

Liberty, are Founders’ ways in expressing that the government of the US commits in

serving the people.

Constitution of United States solidifies Madison’s philosophical thinking of

ideal government. His idea of extended republican system is well described in the

Constitution through the division of tasks, and how the relationship between central

government and the states are maintained. The key element of Madison’s political

philosophy is the republican system that he had advocated. Systemically, the

formation of extended republican government as what James Madison stated on his

paper no. 10 and what is stated on Constitution has similar point: representative

government through “chosen body of citizens”. Representative government becomes

the spirit of republican system. In Madison’s mind, republican system and

representative government are two inseparable things which are formed. In Federalist

Paper no. 10 Madison noted that a republic is run by “chosen body of citizens, whose

wisdom may best discern the true interest of their country”. This chosen body of

citizens is those who represent the interests of US people as a whole.

B. Recommendation

The research about Madison’s political philosophy revealed in Federalist

Paper no. 10 puts two major recommendations for English Department students as

well as other audiences of this research. In studying a nation such as United States, it

is necessary to understand its root of existence. In this case, studying US history and


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the philosophy from its founders. Studying American history is not merely studying

about important dates, parts of important documents or passages inside. Studying

American history means studying the origin of this nation: how this nation survives

through decades and even becomes a super power country which dominates other

nations around the globe.

Documents

FEDERALIST PAPER NO. 10 AND ITS INFLUENCE BEHIND THE .../James... · perpustakaan.uns.ac.id digilib.uns.ac.id JAMES MADISON’S POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY FEDERALIST PAPER NO. 10 AND SURAKARTA