James Madison defines a faction as a "number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or a minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adversed to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community." Madison thinks the majority must rule to handle the factions.
My definition: A group of citizens who join together and are for or against the same thing.
Questions:
1. Are what Madison referred to as factions now political parties?
2. Did he feel factions could potentially be a problem?
3. Are factions necessary to represent the people?
4. What would our government be like without factions?
I think factions play a big role in politics today. It seems most people identify with a political party or at least some kind of political label. I think factions can sometimes be misguided, but are necessary.
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