Yes this is a non sports blog post, but just showing readers another side of my writing.
Upon conclusion of Federalist # 51 one is able to acquire a real sense of the true genius of the United States Constitution and the government it created. James Madison had a strong understanding of the American Government system. He was able to accurately predict the necessary changes our political system would and could undergo in the future. Madison saw the boundaries and necessities of the new Constitutional government, and in it’s support Federalist 51 was written. The important message to take away from Madison’s work is that the American Government System is a remarkably adaptable structure with extensive lasting potential to justly govern. Madison’s real faith in the system’s sustainability is drawn from the policy’s structural reliance on checks and balances. Madison conveys a vote of the utmost confidence to the division of power between what would be the executive, legislative, and judicial branches throughout the piece. Madison’s crowning message is the importance of the checks and balances foundation. What it is, what it needs to do, and why it will last.
In opening of the discussion about the necessity of the checks and balances upon governmental power, Madison speaks to the inadequate nature of government on its’ own; “...exterior provisions are found to be inadequate…contriving the interior structure of the government as that its several constituent parts may, by their mutual relations, be the means of keeping each other in their proper places” (Madison pg. 1). A government can be created easily, but it often then becomes a tyrannical one in which power is abused. Therefore an organization of checked power must be put into place. This said organization of power should include separate branches that have their own power to create or enforce policy. “…essential to the preservation of liberty, it is evident that each department should have a will of its own...” (Madison pg. 1) A division of power spread through different branches of governance allows for a fail safe or check upon overgrowth of power. Each branch is responsible for and able to usurp any overgrowth of power by another branch. The checks and balances framework severely limits the possible rise of tyranny in American government; and will not leave any attempt to over accumulate power uncontested. If one governmental subdivision seeks to impose it’s will beyond its set power, then another can balance the situation to normal. Such a flexible and versatile system of governance is susceptible to linguistic ambiguity, but attempted or actual abuse of power will never go unscathed or eliminated. What it is: The distribution of power theory/checks and balances is a system of separated power that aims to limit overgrowth of power in any one area of the governmental body; and equally aspires to contest any unconstitutional summoning of excess power. With an understanding of what the system is, Madison leads us to what the system must do.
Not only must the governmental structure protect itself against an imbalance of power, but also it must protect against majority and minority tyranny in the citizen population. “..It is of great importance in a republic not only to guard the society against the oppression of its rulers, but to guard one part of the society against the injustice of the other part”. (Madison pg. 4). The division of power amongst the government allows for a balance at the top, but below the surface is the citizenry. The government will be able to sustain itself, but it must do more than exist, it must govern over its people. “..you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself”. (Madison pg. 2) Governance over the people must be carried out in a fashion that does not facilitate for the existence of a majority or minority tyranny. Each can be harmful to a functioning democracy for many different reasons, but Madison’s real focus was on fear of majority tyranny. Madison hoped for the ability to avoid a situation in which any one group controlled the decisions of a society. Democratic elections safeguard against a dictatorship (minority tyranny), but the danger for a majority tyranny is more prevalent in a democracy. The government must check and balance internally and fairly balance the direction of its power in protection of the citizenship of America. Lastly, the ultimate strength of the argument; why the constitutional United States Government will last.
The most evolved principle of the democracy created in America is the complex system of checks and balances upon power and morality. The trait of our government’s constitution that gives it the most potential for longevity is a built in moral code. Morality in the sense that humans cannot be trusted with amassed individual power and that this is a human government. Although the governmental system is an entity it must be treated as if it were a human body. To be treated human in the sense that to thrive, the government must operate by many functions happening dependent and independent of each other. The human body and mindset operates this very way; the body with blood pumping to many different organs all performing separate tasks all towards a common purpose. Also, if the result is to be moral and fair, the human thought process must deliberate, weigh and balance consequences, think logically, ruminate in a search of truth, avoid temptations of power and greed, and critically observe the moral fiber and essence of an issue, person, or policy. The system is human; and human means prone to greed, power, bias, and of course mistakes. Madison most famously addresses this very belief in stating: “If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary”. (Madison pg. 2) Men are not angels indeed, but the checks and balances on power our government maintains the integrity of the democracy. This system is so inherently human, so protective and expansive. It can curtail man’s propensity towards corruption and power and in turn last. Our constitution and governmental system of power distribution is built to control man’s weaker and eviler side. With this moral control upon government; shall come longevity of liberty and just governance.
In conclusion, it can be taken away that Federalist 51’ has a clear message of an importance. James Madison wanted to convey three aspects about the American government system. First stating what the checks and balances system is and what it can do, and how what it does is effective. By a calculated separation of power each branch of government will function dependently and independently of each other working towards a common goal of balancing power. Next, Madison explains how it is of the utmost importance that our system protects itself and the citizenry below. Our system must check its’ own power and the power of society. There needs to be protection against minority and majority tyranny, but Madison was more centered on the risk of minority tyranny. In a democracy, the many should rule the many, as compared to the few ruling the many. Lastly, Madison communicates how the American government system of separated powers will have a lasting effect. The fact that the system has a built in moral safeguard against corruption and is so adaptively human; it will indeed last for many years in the future.
