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FACTIONS IN A REPUBLIC
James Madison, writing as “Publius” discusses the question whether a Republic or a Democracy can more effectively deal with factions. These thoughts are expressed in Article X of “The Federalist Papers”.
The word “democracy” glides easily from the lips of political candidates and incumbent office holders. It is amusing therefore to read Madison's scholarly analysis which portrays democracy's failings are precisely the result of its inability to govern factions. Of course, Madison's definition of democracy is a legislature composed of the whole (community).
A Republic, on the other hand, is composed of a legislature which embodies representatives chosen by the inhabitants. It is less likely that faction can exert the rule of the majority in a republic because the chosen representatives are selected most generally from those individuals of established and diffusive character.
Setting aside the modern usage of the term “democracy”, when what is being described is actually a republic, the framers of the US Constitution were deeply concerned with the dangers of faction exercising majority control. Indeed, it was because of the factious nature of the thirteen original states which motivated Madison and his colleagues to craft the Union which united the states by means of a federal constitution.
This unique and remarkable document, the US Constitution, has weathered many storms in its over two hundred years of existence, including our Civil War. Based upon Madison's analysis, had the Union been crafted as a democracy, it would have survived for only a fraction of that time.
The formation of political parties enabled factions to exert pressure on federal legislation and circumvent the provisions for a balance of power between the three main branches of government. We have witnessed the consequences of faction when the executive and legislative functions are controlled by the same political party.
Fortunately, the introduction of modern communication via the Internet makes it possible for Independent candidates to fund their election campaigns by way of small donations from individuals. This eliminates the advantage held by the two major parties to fund election campaigns. Each of the two major parties are intimately connected with factions which form their party's base.
The emergence of Independent candidates, financed by individual contributions via the Internet, must bring a smile to James Madison and allow him to rest easily; content in the knowledge that the US Constitution with the assistance of cyberspace, is again enabling the United States to rise above the dangers of uncontrolled factions.
Richard Todd Snoqualmie WA 5/21/08
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