LAD #4: Federalist #10

1. Why are factions so difficult to eliminate? James Madison, in summary, describes faction as a group that pursues self interest at the expense of the common good. He states how "faction is to liberty as air is to fire," therefore, eliminating factions is eliminating liberty and therefore is impossible to have in a nation founded on liberty. These factions are so difficult to eliminate, however, because different Americans have various ideas and beliefs. People view religion, government, etc. on so many levels.

2. If factions cannot be removed then how can they be controlled? If factional strife becomes intensive and public, the broader organization may suffer from perceptions of disunity. Taken one step further, if the conflict is particularly severe, it may cause ruptures within the organization that seriously impede its effectiveness, leading to collapse of the broader organization. Madison proceeds to examine how to better control the negative effects of faction. As a democracy, America has decided that there is no cure for faction. A republic, however, opens new prospect for a "cure" that the nation seeks. It will equalize each individual, and no longer will opinions, passions, and possessions be different and unique.

At the end, Madison states, "In the extent and proper structure of the Union, therefore, we behold a republican remedy for the diseases most incident to republican government. And according to the degree of pleasure and pride we feel in being republicans, ought to be our zeal in cherishing the spirit and supporting the character of Federalists."