Plsi 360g - Federalist Papers

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The paper is interpreted to people with different views because of its place in history. The ideas that Madison was exclaiming to the people seemed to be good, and they were logical to most but what was their motive. In life, everyone has a motive for doing something and because of what Madison, who was an elite in society; a rich landowner’s motive may have made people look at Federalist 10 with skeptical eyes. As stated before, his logic may be sound, but to some it may have seemed that this larger government played right into what the Federalist Party wanted. The Constitution alone would give all the power to the Federal Government, and only after the Bill of Rights was proposed was the Constitution ratified. Because of this, the motives that the Federalists had were far greater than that of the poor people of America at the time. To the Federalists, the country collapsing and dividing would have been a complete disaster, but for the poor working class citizens it would not be the end of their world. “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.” (Dolbeare. Federalist No.10. 84) Without the United States surviving, the rich elitist class would lose that status for only under the Union and it’s money, did they have the ability to call themselves rich. For these reasons, many believe that Madison may have known factions to be a problem that could divide but ignored the issues in an attempt to save the fortune and status that he and his Party amassed.

Looking at Federalist No. 10, we can find many different ideas and points that Madison is trying to make, while these are three main assertions being made, many assertions and interpretation can be formed with his words. The Federalists believed that this government would work with the factions and lead the nation into a unified and substantial group. It is important to remember that although history tells us these ideas would glue the union forever, we can realize that the union has been “unbroken” for a long time and a version of the American Flag has never not flown in this land. Madison being a genius, crazy fool, or wealthy land owner, you decide, was just fighting for more power, but one thing is for certain “[the] Union... is Perpetual.” (Lincoln, 1861 Inaugural Address).

Works Cited

Dolbeare, Kenneth M., and Michael S. Cummings. "James Madison: The Federalist

No.10." American Political Thought. 7th ed. Washington, D.C.: CQ, 2004. 83-

87. Print.

"Abraham Lincoln: First Inaugural Address." Great Books Online. Web.

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