Federalist 10, Brutus I, and Federalist 51

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

• Legislative: dividing Congress giving the houses two different means of election

• Executive: giving Congress the ability to remove the President after an impeachment

• Judicial: giving the President the power to appoint federal judges

What is the best definition of "federalism?"

• a system that enacts the will of the people through popular elections

• a system divides powers between national and state governments

• a system where the national government contains most of the power

• a system that spells out specific rights that the government cannot violate

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

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

• A direct democracy is the most efficient way to govern

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

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

What is the key idea contained in Federalist 51?

• a large republic will control the impact of factions

• a small republic is more likely to protect rights of its citizens

• checks and balances are needed to control government power

• a pure (direct) democracy is the most stable form of government

Which argument is consistent with the thoughts contained in Federalist 10?

• small republics are the best way to protect the natural rights of the people

• a participatory democracy had a history of being where minority rights were protected

• large republics tend to have leaders who abuse power and violate rights

• large republics will be more likely to elect representatives who will do the public good

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

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

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

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

• You must make sure the executive is strong enough to overrule the legislature when it doesn't pass needed laws

"Ambition must be made to counteract ambition….It may be a reflection on human nature, that such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of government... If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary." ---James Madison, Federalist 51

Which statement is consistent with this passage?

• men are far more likely to act like angels when elected by the people

• government officials are to be trusted to do the right thing if they are elected

• a government needs to be powerful enough to enact the will of the people

• checks and balances are needed to protect against government abusing power

By "faction" Madison means

• an interest group

• a large majority of the public

• government officials

• a group that dominates the government

"In the compound republic of America, the power surrendered by the people is first divided between two distinct governments, and then the portion allotted to each subdivided among distinct and separate departments. Hence a double security arises to the rights of the people. The different governments will control each other, at the same time that each will be controlled by itself..."

James Madison, Federalist 51

Which statement is consistent with the passage above?

• direct election by the people is the best check on government power

• federalism divides power and further controls government abuses

• ambition in the executive will check ambition in the legislature

• a strong judiciary is key to protecting the rights of the people

In Federalist 10, Madison argues that the best way to protect rights is---

• giving an executive strong powers to be able to crush any rebellions

• creating a small republic so that way the people will personally know their representative

• developing a Bill of Rights that protects individual rights against government intrusion

• having a large republic with many factions so no one faction can gain power