Discuss James Madison's views on factions and how he would respond to the tremendous growth in the number of interest groups actively lobbying in Washington, D.C., over the past several decades

What will be an ideal response?


An ideal response will:
1. Explain that Madison was distrustful of factions, defined as groups pursuing their own interest at the expense of the broader public good.
2. Explain that Madison believed that factions must be allowed, but that government could be designed so that no single faction becomes too dominant.
3. Provide a logical position that Madison might take in light of the preceding points. For instance, he would likely be disheartened by the proliferation of groups, but still adamant that they should be able to exist.

Political Science

You might also like to view...

Among the caucuses in Congress, which is the largest?

a. judiciary committee b. Republican Study Commission c. Blue Dog Coalition d. party conference

Political Science

One of the problems with democracy is that it does not

a. protect the voting rights of individuals. b. extend constitutional guarantees to citizens. c. always successfully protect the values of freedom and equality. d. represent the average person, rather it favors the rich. e. afford leaders the opportunity to propose policy options.

Political Science

From 2000 to 2010, the Texas Supreme Court ruled in favor of corporate interests on a(n) ______ of cases.

a. minority b. plurality c. equal number d. majority

Political Science

Which of the following is a reform suggested by Senator Moynihan that would allow Social Security participants to invest a small portion of the Social Security tax into a private retirement account?

A. the privatization solution B. the Moynihan solution C. the solvency solution D. the 2 percent solution

Political Science