IndexHistorical ContextDocument SummaryAnalysisPersonal ReflectionConclusionThe roots of republican government and democratic ideals are firmly planted in “Federalist No. 51, the structure of government must provide the appropriate checks and balances between the different departments." Written on February 6, 1788, this essay is one of three documents that make up a group of political articles known as The Federalist Papers. These documents were written by the three primary supporters of the United States Constitution and the Federal Convention; Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison (Mulford 999). The collection of essays was first published in the Independent Journal, a New York-based political magazine, as well as numerous other magazines. Ironically, New York governor George Clinton was an Anti-Federalist, an antagonist of governmental freedoms, republican ideals, and the subsequent ratification of the U.S. Constitution (Mulford 999). “The Federalist No. 51” was written a year after Hamilton concluded that the state of New York would not ratify the Constitution. Subsequently, the Federalist Papers were published and widely circulated in New York, as well as several other states, to persuade and convince Anti-Federalists to uphold the foundations of democratic republicanism and federalism. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Historical Context In a broad effort to rejuvenate the national government and replace its nebulous Articles of Confederation with a more stable legal and governmental document, the Federalists gathered in what became known as the Federal Convention. This secret meeting was held from the spring to fall of 1787 and was the genesis of the United States Constitution (Mulford 998). Prior to its nationwide ratification, Anti-Federalists, who argued that the document did not represent the middle and lower classes of society, strongly opposed the Federalist version of the Constitution. They were subsequently appeased by the proposal and subsequent implementation of the Bill of Rights in 1789 and 1790, when the First United States Congress presented the first twelve amendments to the state legislatures for ratification (NARA). The federal Constitution was finally ratified by all thirteen states in 1790 (Mulford 999). The Constitution is a living document that has the inherent ability to be amended by the legislative branch of government through a three-quarters vote of approval by state legislatures. It has been amended twenty-seven times, with the last amendment prohibiting U.S. senators from setting or raising their salaries (United States Constitution). The Constitution remains one of the most unique governing documents in the world because of its set of personal freedoms and checks and balances among the executive, legislative, and judicial institutions of our government. Document Summary An advocate of individual liberties and democratic structures and processes in government, James Madison lays out his ideas of a governmental system strengthened by a division of powers and independent institutions in "The Federalist No. 51." Madison states that the legislative branch is the most powerful branch of government and is most in need of checks and balances from the other branches, in order to ensure that no branch becomes tyrannical. Furthermore, Madison argues for the importance of protecting our country not only from the tyrannical rule of an executive leader, but also from the injustices that can arise from groups of private citizens. Finally, Madison supports the idea that justice should be the overall purpose of representative government and a strengthstrong among citizens in a civil society. The analysis "The Federalist No. 51" is relevant to the canon of modern political thought because it embodies the founding principles of federalism, protection against tyranny, the inevitability of class conflict and the principled solution of burdens and counterweights. Madison, unlike Hamilton and other political activists of his time, advocated the preservation of state governments, a pluralistic theory whose essence requires the existence of a state government for the consolidation of liberty and national cohesion among states. Madison uses strong and persuasive rhetoric throughout his argument. He specifically states who the audience is in his subject's greeting, "To the People of the State of New York" (Madison 1). Madison's purpose in "The Federalist No. 51" is twofold: first, to persuade Anti-Federalist citizens and the government of New York, a key state in ratifying the Constitution, to support Federalist ideals; second, to inform the Federalist citizens of New York about the entire message of the Federalist Party. Thus, Madison can be credited with many of the founding principles necessary for the existence of our current Republic. One of the first channels that Madison uses to define our modern understanding of political thought is the emphasis on federalism. He argues that the only way freedom and independence can be maintained is through the institution of federalism, "in order to lay the due foundation for that separate and distinct exercise of the several powers of government/which by each part is admitted to be essential to the preservation of liberty, it is evident that each department has a will of its own” (Madison 1). of government would not be powerful enough to function independently. Madison highlights the danger of any one institution holding too much power: "In a republic it is important not only to protect society from the oppression of its rulers, but also to protect a part of society from 'injustice on the other side' (3). Madison further states that since the American people have transferred their sovereignty to the government, in turn "there arises a double security for the rights of the people" (3). This statement is relevant to the foundation of modern political thought because it places value on the citizens of states and grants them protection from a sovereign in exchange for their sovereignty. Madison embraces one of the main arguments of the Anti-Federalist movement, the recognition of the lower-middle classes of society. Madison recognizes the existence of class distinction and the tyranny that the majority often exercises over the minority. It also recognizes this distinction within the same government department. Madison proposes a legal solution to this apparent problem, “giving those who administer each department the necessary constitutional means and personal motivation to resist the encroachments of others” (Madison 2). His "eye for an eye" solution and his discussion of human nature may derive from Thomas Hobbes' philosophical insights into the state of nature and civil society. Additionally, Madison uses biblical allusions throughout this discussion of political inequality, “if men were angels, no government would be necessary” (2). Here Madison recognizes the imperfect state of man and the need for government control. Furthermore, Madison argues that a power "independent of the people" would be a compulsory existence due to the inherent factionalism among classes of citizens in America. Madison shows his impartial nature by proposing that concepts).