Why a large republic is the best defense against factionalism
In short: Explore James Madison's foundational argument in Federalist No. 10. This video breaks down why the 1787 Constitution's large republic model was designed to protect liberty from the dangers of special interests.
In Federalist No. 10, James Madison argues that a large republic is uniquely suited to manage the risks of 'factions'—groups of citizens driven by common interests that might harm the public good. By expanding the scale of the government, the Constitution of 1787 ensures that no single interest can easily dominate the others.
The Federalist Papers were a series of 85 essays published anonymously under the name 'Publius' between 1787 and 1788. They were written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to persuade New Yorkers to ratify the new Constitution, replacing the Articles of Confederation. Because Hamilton and Madison were members of the Constitutional Convention, these essays remain a primary tool for interpreting the original intent of the Framers.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Federalist No. 10 (part 1) | US government and civics | Khan Academy
- Also: Research Guides: Federalist Papers: Primary Documents in American History: Full Text of The Federalist Papers
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