Packet- Federalist # 51

Background:
A: Who was the author?
-James Madison
B: When was the essay written?
-Wednesday, February 6, 1788
C: When does this appear in regards to the timeline of events during the state ratification conventions? Or in other words, what had already happened when this essay was published?
-The first meeting of the Constitutional convention had already happened, along with the first publication of the U.S. Constitution in 1787.

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?
-The main focus and most important idea is communicated through the phrase, "Ambition must be made to counter act ambition." Meaning that the coming changes to the people and nation will have to be met with empowerment.

2.) what arguments does Madison use to support the idea that the Supreme Court should not be elected?
-Supreme Court would be more likely to set a system in which the powers are not assigned equal power, therefore one would rule the others.

3.) If men were angels, why would government no longer be necessary?
-Government would no longer be necessary, because if all men were angels, we would all have perfect morals and a perfect sense of right and wrong. Government plays a big role in "making peace" and solving problems between many groups of people. If there were no problems (or no situation to better itself) government wouldn't be important.

4.) Madison states, "But what is government itself, but the greatest reflections on human nature?" Consider your experiences and knowledge about government. What does government say about human nature?
-As government is a reflection of human nature, then right now I'd say it's not in good shape. Based on my beliefs and opinions, government is a thief and does not follow the foundations on which it was set up in the past. I know it's necessary, and not all things about it are bad, but I think the deceiving part outweighs the good part anymore.

5.) According to Federalist 51, dependence on the people serves as the primary control on the government. How can government override the people? How can the people lose control and become dominated by the government?
- People could easily, at any time lose complete control of the government, because the government (the people running it) only aim to get power and run things how they think they should be run. Government could start overriding the people, all it has to do is make the people believe that the changes it's going to make are going to be beneficial, regardless if they are or aren't. I guess in a way it does depend on the people, but one wrong choice could change it all.

6.) If it is not possible to give each branch of government equal power of self-defense in the Constitution's checks and balances, what safeguards exist in plan to keep one branch from becoming dominate when the separation of powers is made?
-As checks and balances keep the specific branch in check and limit the power in a way, each branch is only given the power to perform a specific action, and it can't be completely ratified without the other works of the branches. They all work together for a reason.


7.) What factors beyond race divide the American people into minority groups?
- Working class, education, income rate, tax payment rate


8.) An unjust combination of the majority was considered 'very improbable if not impossible' in the large republic that would be created by the Constitution in 1787. What technological advanced allow for new combinations? Are those sediments still true in the 21st century?
-weapon advances for war, typewriter, steamboats, yes. All that was newly invented by mainly the middle class are all mostly still in effect today and used for important purposes.