Federalist No. 10
Federalist No. 10 is one of the 85 essays that make up The Federalist Papers.
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10 is one of the 85 essays that make up The Federalist Papers. It was written by James Madison and published on November 22, 1787. The essay focuses on addressing the issue of factions within a democratic government and argues in favor of a large republic to prevent the tyranny of the majority. Madison defines factions as groups of people who join together to promote their own interests at the expense of the common good. He states that factions are inevitable in any society and are caused by human nature and the unequal distribution of property. Madison believes that the best way to control factions is to establish a large republic with a representative government. He argues that in a large republic, the greater number of factions will work against each other, making it difficult for any one faction to dominate. This, in turn, would protect the rights and liberties of individuals and prevent tyranny. Additionally, Madison argues that the diversity of interests in a large republic will make it less likely for a majority faction to form. He suggests that the representative system will ensure that lawmakers are elected by a broad spectrum of the population, making it less vulnerable to the tyranny of a particular faction. Federalist No. 10 is considered one of the most influential essays in American political thought, as it discusses the advantages of a representative democracy and the importance of a strong central government. It continues to be studied and debated by scholars today.