Problem Set 9 – William Passarini

1. What is the subject under discussion?

The solution to the problem of domestic faction in a country.

2. What is Madison’s thesis?

Madison defends the idea that a Federative and Republic union is the best government form
to control domestic factions; therefore, a pure democracy is not the best solution.

3. Madison presents his basic argument through a division of the main ideas or specific
categories in the passage. Diagram this division of ideas. Be sure the words and phrases you
use to label the ideas are clear. But don’t try to repeat in a diagram everything Madison says
in the text; just concentrate on dividing the main ideas.
Methods of curing the mischiefs of faction:
Removing its cause and controlling its effects

Division of “removing its cause”:

Destroying the liberty and giving to every citizen the same opinions, the same passions, and
the same interests

4. Write down four of Madison’s most important definitions. Do you think his definitions are
good ones?
Faction: 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 and aggregate interests of the community.
Pure democracy: a society consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble and
administer the government in person.
Republic: a government in which the scheme of representation takes place.
Fourth definition: ?

I don’t know if they are good definitions, it seems to me other concepts are implicit, and the
definitions proposed should be more detailed.

5. Write out your answers in order to turn in this homework in class.

I am still working on this exercise, but that is the answer for tomorrow.