Federalist 10 Summary

Federalist 10 and the Danger of Majority Faction
James Madison proclaims in Federalist 10 that a strong union must be ready to deal with the threat of factions. A faction, under Madison’s definition, is a group that shares an interest that contrasts from the interests of other individuals or groups. Citizens are inclined to voice their concerns and in society “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.” Madison believes the American form of popular government is certainly an improvement over the preceding attempts of “both ancient and modern” societies, but the system is still vulnerable to the threats presented

The greatest differences between a republic and pure democracy are the delegation of elected officials, and a republic allows for the government to govern a much larger area. In a republic, elected officials, noted for their wisdom, must be capable of making decisions for the public good despite any of their personal interests. The system allows the public’s voice to be represented by representatives that are more inclined to political action of the good of the whole society. However, such a system relies heavily on the election of beneficial

Hamilton believes this European notion can shake inter-state relations and prevent blossoming economic growth. Through the establishment of a union, Hamilton writes, “we may counteract a policy so unfriendly in a variety of ways.” A union has the potential to lead foreign countries to bid for privileges to to American markets, create a federal navy, become a force in European politics, and foster greater unity among states, mentioning “A unity of commercial, as well as political, interests, can only result from a unity of government.” In unity, European countries are forced to negotiate with the country as a whole instead of individual