The Federalist Papers, Federalist No. 10 summary

What happens

1. MADISON defines faction as citizens united by interests or passions that threaten others’ rights or the community’s lasting welfare.
2. He rejects destroying liberty or making everyone alike, and identifies unequal property as the most persistent source of faction.
3. Ordinary voting checks minority factions, but majority factions can use popular government to oppress others.
4. He distinguishes direct democracy from a republic, where elected representatives can improve public judgment but can also betray voters.
5. He argues that larger republics offer more qualified candidates and make corrupt election tactics harder.
6. He concludes that the Union’s many interests and wide territory make oppressive majorities harder to form and coordinate.

In this paper

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