Jay

The Federalist Papers

1. IDEA 1

   A new constitution needed support

   Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay wrote a series of newspaper essays urging New York voters to approve the proposed United States Constitution. They explained how it would work and answered critics.

2. IDEA 2

   Factions are a danger

   Madison argues that factions, groups pursuing their own interests against others, are a natural danger in free societies. They cannot be removed without destroying liberty. In his view, the aim is to manage their effects, not to attack the freedom that produces them.

3. IDEA 3

   A large republic controls factions

   Madison argues that a large republic, with many competing interests, makes it harder for any single faction to dominate. Size becomes a protection. In his view, groups spread across a wider area find it harder to join together against others.

All 8 ideas from The Federalist Papers →