Federalist Foundations
In Federalist No. 10, Madison argues that an extended republic can best control the dispersion of power across a large and diverse polity because of this structural feature of the U.S. system.
What are factions?
Locke’s assertion that government must operate with the “consent of the governed” most directly influenced which principle embedded in the Declaration of Independence?
What is popular sovereignty?
When citizens engage directly in policy decisions rather than electing representatives, they embody which democratic model—and what key limitation does Madison identify in its large-scale application?
What is participatory democracy; it risks instability from factional passions?.
The Framers’ design of checks and balances illustrates which Enlightenment idea about the nature of power?
What is that power must be divided to prevent its abuse (as articulated by Montesquieu)?
This Enlightenment thinker’s belief that people are born with natural rights directly inspired Jefferson’s argument that governments derive “their just powers from the consent of the governed.”
Who is John Locke?
In Federalist No. 51, Madison explains that the compound republic of America divides power not only among branches but also between national and state governments. What constitutional system does this describe?
What is federalism?
According to Locke, if individuals retain their natural rights when forming a government, what implicit limitation is placed on political authority?
What is limited government.
What is that government power must be limited to protecting those rights?
The framers’ decision to have state legislatures elect U.S. senators reflected what specific concern about the dangers of unchecked democracy?
What is the fear of mob rule or excesses of popular influence?
The separation of authority between national and state governments operationalizes which Madisonian solution to controlling factions?
What is the creation of multiple levels of government to diffuse power?
What is federalism?
Madison’s solution to the problem of majority tyranny in Federalist No. 10 relies on this structural principle also defended in Federalist No. 51.
What is the separation of powers (or checks and balances within a large republic)?
The Declaration’s claim that rights are “endowed by their Creator” directly challenges which theory of government legitimacy?
What is divine right or monarchic absolutism?
Locke’s “obligation to submit to the decisions of the majority” represents an early articulation of what fundamental aspect of democratic legitimacy?
What is majority rule as a condition of the social contract?
In a system where power is dispersed among interest groups and institutions, policy outcomes often result from bargaining and compromise. Which model of democracy does this describe?
What is pluralist democracy?
The Declaration’s claim that rights are “endowed by their Creator” directly challenges which theory of government legitimacy?
What is divine right or monarchic absolutism?
When Congress passes campaign finance laws to limit the influence of money in politics, it is attempting to regulate the effects of which phenomenon Madison warned about?
What are factions?
Madison asserts that “if men were angels, no government would be necessary.” What view of human nature underlies this claim?
What is that humans are inherently self-interested and power-seeking, requiring institutional restraints?
Locke believed that if government fails to protect citizens’ natural rights, the people have this ultimate power.
What is the right to revolt (or overthrow the government)?
The lengthy and complex process for amending the Constitution reflects what model of democracy and why?
What is elite democracy; it restricts major constitutional change to the politically experienced and institutionally empowered?
The Constitution’s rejection of “corruption of the blood” reflects the Founders’ adherence to which broader principle of justice?
What is individual accountability under the rule of law?
What is the rule of law?
The phrase “ambition must be made to counteract ambition” illustrates what broader constitutional goal shared by both Madison and Montesquieu?
What is preventing the concentration of power by dividing authority among branches?
Locke’s concept of natural rights provided the philosophical foundation for which specific section of the Declaration of Independence?
What is the preamble’s justification for rebellion (“that all men are created equal…”)?
In Locke’s Second Treatise, the principle that authority stems from the people embodies this core democratic ideal.
What is popular sovereignty?
Modern advocacy organizations like the NAACP and NRA exemplify pluralist democracy because they perform what essential function in the policymaking process?
What is aggregating and articulating citizen interests to influence government action?
Locke’s concept of natural rights provided the philosophical foundation for which specific section of the Declaration of Independence?
What is the preamble’s justification for rebellion (“that all men are created equal…”)?
The Constitution’s design reflects a tension between two democratic ideals: popular sovereignty and limited government. Explain how the Electoral College embodies that tension.
What is that it allows citizen participation through voting (popular sovereignty) while filtering the outcome through a body of elites (limited direct democracy)?
What is popular sovereignty & limited direct democracy?