More handpicked essays just for you.
What is the difference between democracy and a republic
James madison influence on governments around the world
What is the difference between democracy and a republic
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
In 1787, the Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution to establish a new, stronger government for the United States. During George Washington’s presidency in the 1790s, Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson argued over the role of the government as dictated by the Constitution. As a result, a two party system consisting of the Hamiltonian Federalists and the Jeffersonian Republicans emerged. To some extent, James Madison and Thomas Jefferson reflected the policies and beliefs of the Federalist Hamilton.
In the late 1700’s, it was America’s goal to create a republic that had a representative government that was based upon the approval of the people. Unfortunately, the people feared a strong central government because of the previous trouble the colonies had when they were ruled by Britain. They were always being unfairly taxed and had very few rights. In order to avoid this, a very weak government was developed that seemed to satisfy the people, but would not satisfy the well being of the country. It wasn’t until Shay’s rebellion which brought light to the fact that the Articles of Confederation were not going to cut it, so the Constitutional Convention was created and convened to find an alternative solution which was the creation of the Constitution.
He believed the local state assemblies abused their powers, only spoke for their local interest, changed their membership constantly, and enacted unjust laws. He believed ratifying the Constitution to a strong central government was the only option for the young country to succeed. Madison adopted David Hume’s idea, a strong republican government might perform better in a large setting rather that a small one. He convinced the American public of this idea through a series called the Federalist Papers. Madison thought a citizen’s rights were more protected with a central government rather than a local state government.
Jefferson took office and acted as if he was the epitome of Republican values. Republicans believed that the role of government needed to decrease. Jefferson tried to minimize federal control through reducing its reach and scope. He pursued a laissez- faire approach to governance in his time as President, which meant that
The Republican party was the first party to exist. They believe a relationship with Great Britain would put them under a smaller country thumb. They wanted to have complete Independence. They believe that if the states add power it would form a better relationship with the federal government. and this would make it easier for the country to take care of its people.
In his essay ‘The founding fathers: a reform caucus in action', John P. Roche describes the Founding Fathers as practical politicians that were indeed acting on behalf the citizens they represented. Roche states the founding fathers kept in mind everyone's rights while making the Constitution. He explains how James Madison drafted the Virginia Plan. Roche describes it as a ‘Political Masterstroke'.
They believed this form of government was too distant from the people. To have a republican government, virtuous citizens would be required. They insisted that in a republic the people are sovereign and for those people to make good decisions they would need to be virtuous. And according to Anti-Federalists, it was less likely to have people like this in a large nation than a small state. It was then argued that a president; someone equipped with power to nominate judicial officers, pardon for the offense of treason, and armed forces at his disposal, would resemble a “elective King”.
James Madison’s Federalist 10 was written amid criticisms that a republican form of government had never been successful on a large scale. Madison’s argument was that a well-constructed union could control factions. He argued that in order to control factions from their causes, we would need to either give up liberty or free thought. Since we cannot infringe upon these two natural rights, we must move on to controlling the effects. A republic, Madison argues, would be able to do this because the people choose the representatives, and they choose representatives who they feel best represent their opinions.
Jefferson had faith in the common people and advocated against special privileges in favor of the wealthy. To Jefferson the decision taken by the majority was the will of the people. Jefferson established that the central government needed to be "Rigorously frugal and simple." In Jefferson’s republic, he favored a weak central government and a strong state government. Acting in the people’s common interest Jefferson supported the unalienable right of citizens presented in the bill of rights and believe in the theses right must be ensured under all circumstances.
The Founding Fathers wanted to form a democracy because there would be a balance of power when it comes to electing representatives. No elected official would be above the law or exercise unruly powers. The Declaration of Independence was created establish the protection of individual rights as a founding principle for the new form of government. The Constitution was created to put in place a stronger union and guarantee basic rights for citizens. The Constitution divided the government into three branches in addition to setting up checks & balances.
10 in an attempt to ratify the Constitution, the new form of government for the United States. In the Federalist Paper No. 10, Madison analyzed the way to deal with facts, made a comparison between a pure democracy and a republic, and made another comparison on whether a small government or a large government would be the best for America. He informed the people that there is not a way to completely get rid of factions, but there are ways to deal with them. One great way to deal with factions is by having a government that knows how to control and deal with their effects. Madison believes that a republic can do that job better than a democracy, because a democracy is a small society of people who can not admit there is a cure to factions.
There will always be fractions, but the form of a republic forces them to be unified, smaller and less likely to overcome the each other. A republican government is maintained by representatives chosen by the people instead of a democracy ran by the people themselves. Because these representatives need votes, Madison argues that a republic with a large group of people enable leaders to be more accountable and concerned for the good of the people. Madison argues the need for a large republic by
According to classical republicanism, the major purpose of government is to promote the common good, to create civically virtuous citizens, and to create a well-balanced government. The idea of Promoting the common good can be found in The Affordable Care Act, an attempt by the Obama Administration to provide every United States citizen with quality access to healthcare. Providing each U.S. citizen with healthcare is in the benefit of the entire country subsequently promoting the common good. The Patriot Act another piece of legislation in response to the September 11th attacks, the main purpose is to deter, and punish terrorist acts in America or around the World. Responding to these horrific events demonstrates that the Government is actively
In the case of taxation, the more powerful of the two parties would have the opportunity to impose higher taxes on the minority, thus, saving themselves money. Madison firmly believed that the constitution had the ability to solve the problems created by factions. Madison envisioned a large republic that would make it difficult for corrupt candidates to get elected. Madison expressed this by stating, In the next place, as each representative will be chosen by a greater number of citizens in the large than in the small republic, it will be more difficult for unworthy candidates to practice with success the vicious arts by which elections are too often carried; and the suffrages of the people being more free, will be more likely to centre in men who possess the most attractive merit and the most diffusive and established characters.
Left with the task of forging the first democratic nation in many centuries, the founding fathers delicately pieced together a government inspired by the ideals of the Revolution. On this pubescent time period, Merill Jensen writes: “an attempt was made to write democratic ideals and theories of government into the laws and constitutions of the American states.” The founders made the radical choice to separate church and state. In a draft of his bill establishing religious freedom, Jefferson wrote: “WE the General Assembly of Virginia do enact that no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship.” The result of the Revolution was a united push for radical political and social changes that changed history.
