Packet- Federalist #10

Background:
A: Who was the author?
 - James Madison
B: When was the essay written?
- Thursday, November 27, 1787
C: When does this appear in regards to the timeline of events during the state ratification conventions? Or in other words, what had happened already when this essay was published?
- Because of the events taking place within the convention, Federalist #10 takes on a more philosophical view of what the people should expect. Also, the Articles of Confederation had already been written.

1.) What particular problem is the topic of the essay and what is the author's main contention about how the Constitution addresses this problem?
-It argues the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Madison focuses on what to do to guard against factions in the nation.

2.)What are factions? How were they causing an alarm that echoed from one end of the continent to the other?
-Factions are small groups withing larger ones, primarily in government. The alarm was essentially the fear of what if one group was getting more power than the others.

3.) Why are both possible ways to remove the causes of factions unacceptable and harmful?
-Removing factions completely wouldn't do any good, especially to the American people, because that would in a sense take away freedom of choice and say to what you want.

4.) What is it about human nature that creates factions according to Federalist# 10?
-Human nature plays a big role in faction creation, because its only human to have an opinion and want a specific personal thing. People will always have their specific thoughts on a subject.

5.)Why would factions commonly and frequently be created by the distribution of property? What types of factions are created by the possessors of property and those seeking to possess it?
-Certain people and groups would have their own thoughts and opinions on how they wanted things worked in that particular land or area. You can't side with someone who doesn't want the same things you do, you must reach a compromise.

6.) Why can a person not be a judge in his own legal case? Why should we keep this in mind when considering legislative matters on public policy?
-A person cannot be the judge for their own case, because the would rule however they wanted the outcome weather it be wrong or right, moral or immoral. If you have the power to make something the way you ant it, 9 times out of 10 you will make it what you want because you can.

7.) How is the proposed Constitution empowered to control the effects of citizens forming factions?
-The Constitution serves as the law of the land, giving you your rights and making a balance in power so one cannot rule the other. By giving this set balance, factions cannot become overbearing.

8.)What is named as improper or wicked projects? Why would these ideas be improper or wicked?
-Basically having majority rule over freedom in a way, even if the decision is the wrong one.

9.) Do you feel that Madison's views on the Constitution controlling factions are still true today? Give examples to support your positions
-I think in a way they still are true, but need to be demonstrated and understood a lot better in today's society.