Question 1
A faction is a group of individuals, comprising of members drawn from either a majority or a minority, who are opposed to the common interests of the larger society. Madison states that the motives of a faction are driven by passion or selfish interests (Congress, n.d.).
Question 2
A democratic government comprises of a small number of citizens who gather and administer the government in person. As such, there are no mechanisms or structures to limit the effects of a faction. In such governments, the effects of a faction are most likely to ripple out and affect the majority explaining why democratic governments are characterized by instances of turbulence and contention (Congress, n.d.).
Question 3
The causes of faction can be eliminated by removing the freedom of the citizens or by assigning every citizen; similar opinions, passions, and interests.
Question 4
The elimination of liberty will most likely extinguish political life while assigning people similar opinions, beliefs and interests is impractical.
Question 5
Factions form and exist due to differences amongst people. The differences in; opinions, levels of activity, property and wealth, socio-cultural backgrounds and political beliefs are what enables the formation and existence of factions (Congress, n.d.). People with similar interests and ideas will align themselves against those with opposing views and continue to oppress one another rather than working towards a common goal.
Question 6
A pure democracy differs from a republic in that, in a republic, the governmental activities are conducted by a small number of citizens elected by the nation. Similarly, in a republic, unlike in a democratic government, the extent of the citizens and the territory can be contracted (Congress, n.d.).
Question 7
The ability of the republic to limit factions lies in its characteristics i.e. representative government and the size and population of the Union (Congress, n.d.). A representative form of government will result in elected individuals with the ability to discern what is good for the nation. Such citizens have the interests of the nation at heart, and whose patriotism and love for justice is unquestionable, therefore, sinister and factious interests are eliminated. A republic is also able to reduce the size and population of the Union thereby limiting the emergence of factions.
Question 8
No. The republic and constitutional systems have done very little to reduce the effects of factions. Most minority groups, in spite of their varying opinions and beliefs, team up together to form a majority. For example, gay rights and labor union activists typically vote as the Democratic Party block while conservatives and pro big business interests usually vote as the Republican Party (Maharrey, n.d.). If either party wins, the views of the minority are imposed on the majority.
References
Maharrey, M. (n.d.). Federalist #10: The Power of Factions. Tenth Amendment Center. Retrieved 21 January 2017, from http://tenthamendmentcenter.com/2015/09/04/federalist-10-the-power-of-factions/
The Federalist Papers - Congress.gov Resources -. (n.d.). Congress.gov. Retrieved 21 January 2017, from https://www.congress.gov/resources/display/content/The+Federalist+Papers#TheFederali stPapers-10
