"...great points of difference between a democracy and a republic are: first, the delegation of the government, in the latter, to a small number of citizens elected by the rest;...The effect of the first difference is, on the one hand, to refine and enlarge the public views, by passing them through the medium of a chosen body of citizens, whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of their country, and whose patriotism and love of justice will be least likely to sacrifice it to temporary or partial considerations. Under such a regulation, it may well happen that the public voice, pronounced by the representatives of the people, will be more consonant to the public good than if pronounced by the people themselves, convened for the purpose."
Madison explains how the republican system lets the people elect their leaders. This type of government system was not common during this time period which is why the Americans embraced it and used it to their advantage.The "public voice" were the common people who felt they knew what was best for the average American citizen which is why Madison felt that they should have the power to elect the leaders, who would be able to help the citizens the most These common people who have a "love of justice" and "patriotism" are the people the government needs to be listening to and let them elect their countries' leaders and a republican government allows the people to do just that. Madison believes this idea and practice is key and will lead to a successful government because it will simply make the majority happy. The citizens will be pleased because they are allowed to have a say in who their leaders are and therefore will be less likely to disagree with the laws and regulations made by those leaders.
"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.
This passage sums up the idea of separation of power. Forming the different branches of government, the legislative, the executive, and the judicial, will be the most successful form of government. Madison explains that the main goal of having a government separated into different departments is to secure "the rights of the people". When a government is divided into different branches of government, no branch will ever become to power. The branches will "control each other" which means each branch constantly checks in with one another and all branches are aware of what the others are doing. By doing this, the people will never have to worry about a certain department of government becoming to powerful and overthrowing the other departments. This idea of separation of power pleases the people because they know that their rights are secure but as well as the branches of government because they are still allowed to do what they please as long as the other branches check in on them.
In your analysis of the first quote you picked, I liked how you made ties between America's decision to make form a republic government and the people's patriotism. At this point, when they are making the transition from independent colonies to a united country, patriotism is extremely important as they start to build unity.
ReplyDeleteYou also talked about how the people wanted to be able to vote and have a say in their government. It's interesting to see how this idea can be directly traced back to the days of being a British colony, when the colonists were upset by "taxation without representation." It is clear that the failures they saw in English rule shaped the decisions they made when forming the American government.
I like your analysis on the importance of government official being passionate about their work. I definitely agree that a love for one's nation and seeing that nation prosper is an important quality of anyone who's job is supposedly to make their nation a better place.
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