Revision:The Problem of, and solution to, Factionalism

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The problem of faction is mainly described in Madison's federalist 10. A faction is "a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or a minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adverse to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent aggregate interests of the community" We might call them "special interest groups". In Madison's day, it basically meant a group that pursued interests opposed to the public interest.

In an ideal world, the republic would live day to day from the love that individuals had for their country. But he realised that this would not be the case and that faction was inevitable.

Dealing with Faction

There are two ways to cope with the problem of faction - either to remove its causes, or deal with its effects. In order to remove the causes, we can either take away the liberty of the faction, or enforce on everyone the same opinions and attitudes.

The first option is not viable - "liberty is to faction, what air is to fire". To remove liberty would be to remove the air, which is essential to life.

The second option also is not viable - "as long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to exercise it, different opinions will be formed."

The solution, for Madison, is to found a republic so large and so diverse that the number of factions is as large as it can possibly be so that it is impossible for one faction to dominate the rest. In ancient republics the fighting was bitter because factionalism primarily manifested itself in the division between the rich and the poor. Each could sense victory and tried to dominate government. In America, this would not be the case because of the diversity of men and their conditions.

Federalism containing factions

The vertical separation of powers in a federal system means that many factions will operate at state level. Each state's politics will be interest group politics. Many of these state factions will see no reason to operate at the national level. Thus, most of the nasty in-fighting and factional politics will be contained at the state level. Given that the rights of the states to act are restricted, there will be limits to the factions that can be created. Madison thus argues for pluralist, interest-group based politics. If state politics did get out of hand, the the central government can always intervene to assuage the difficulty.

Representation Containing Faction

Madison sees representation acting as a kind of filter. Representation will help to:

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.

A representative will have to be careful to avoid angering one faction or another. Alternatively many representatives from each faction will counteract each other, or, in the ensuing gridlock, have to learn to cooperate and bargain to get things done.

As it may be the case that corrupt and devious men may deceive the people and use this against them, it is best to have a large state from which to draw the best possible pool of individuals to govern.

Faction and its Importance in American Government

Hamilton, Jay and Madison argue that you can never rely on selfless, disinterested patriotism, although this would be nice. Self-interest, as something predictable and reliable, will make the institutions of the United States work because the factions make them work.

The writers argue that the various parts of the government were meant to develop an espirit de corps that would enable the various branches of government to solve problems and move forwards. It is in the interest of all of the factions involved.

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