Assignment: The Federalist Paper #51

CIVICS 1st Tri
2024-10-23T16:37:43Z

Due: Oct 28, 2024 by 11:59pm

The Federalist Papers were a series of eighty-five essays urging the citizens of New York to ratify the new United States Constitution. Written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, the essays originally appeared anonymously in New York newspapers in 1787 and 1788 under the pen name "Publius." The Federalist Papers are considered one of the most important sources for interpreting and understanding the original intent of the Constitution.

Please read the following Federalist Paper #51 written by James Madison to the citizens of New York state to convince them to vote for the new U.S. Constitution. Be prepared to answer questions regarding the purpose of this document and its place in American history.

https://guides.loc.gov/federalist-papers/text-51-60

As you read Federalist 51, answer the following questions:

1. Why does Madison fear “a gradual concentration of the several powers in the same department” of government?

2. How can government, as Madison claims, be “the greatest of all reflections on human nature”?

3. How does “the multiplicity of interests” in American society protect the rights of its citizens? Is the author arguing that the federal government should be as accountable to any given minority as to the majority?

4. Since Madison argues the Constitution would protect the rights of the minority, is he justified in believing that “a coalition of a majority of the whole society could seldom take place on any other principles than those of justice and the general good”?

After reading Federalist 51, look at the following questions. Be prepared to discuss these questions in a class discussion.

5. Is Madison’s opinion of the role of self-interest in the conduct of one’s life realistic? Why or why not?

6. Do you believe the controls against the abuse of power by a single government department have been effective? Explain your answer.

7. Does the federal government equally serve majority and minority interests today? Why or why not?

8. Is there a role for states anymore? Why or why not?

The Federalist Papers were a series of eighty-five essays urging the citizens of New York to ratify the new United States Constitution. Written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, the essays originally appeared anonymously in New York newspapers in 1787 and 1788 under the pen name "Publius." The Federalist Papers are considered one of the most important sources for interpreting and understanding the original intent of the Constitution.

Please read the following Federalist Paper #51 written by James Madison to the citizens of New York state to convince them to vote for the new U.S. Constitution. Be prepared to answer questions regarding the purpose of this document and its place in American history.

https://guides.loc.gov/federalist-papers/text-51-60

As you read Federalist 51, answer the following questions:

1. Why does Madison fear “a gradual concentration of the several powers in the same department” of government?

2. How can government, as Madison claims, be “the greatest of all reflections on human nature”?

3. How does “the multiplicity of interests” in American society protect the rights of its citizens? Is the author arguing that the federal government should be as accountable to any given minority as to the majority?

4. Since Madison argues the Constitution would protect the rights of the minority, is he justified in believing that “a coalition of a majority of the whole society could seldom take place on any other principles than those of justice and the general good”?

After reading Federalist 51, look at the following questions. Be prepared to discuss these questions in a class discussion.

5. Is Madison’s opinion of the role of self-interest in the conduct of one’s life realistic? Why or why not?

6. Do you believe the controls against the abuse of power by a single government department have been effective? Explain your answer.

7. Does the federal government equally serve majority and minority interests today? Why or why not?

8. Is there a role for states anymore? Why or why not?