Factions, Interest Groups, and American Government Essay

Exclusively available on IvyPanda Available only on IvyPanda

The reason why Madison emphasizes faction rather than different aspects like religion

The aspect of faction is greatly explained by Madison as he emphasizes that this particular occurrence is a result of unequal property allocation. As understood from the argument he puts forth; faction has a considerably great influence on government ruling as well as constitution compared to several other aspects like religion. More so, it is this aspect of the faction that had met great criticism since a good number of citizens could not understand how a government would be run by differing groups.

We will write a custom essay on your topic a custom Essay on Factions, Interest Groups, and American Government
808 writers online

The faction was the name given to existing political parties that were operational during that particular period when Madison was putting forth his ideas on this issue. Therefore in as much as other aspects constituted the constitution, this seemed the most pressing as Madison saw the need to clarify the necessity of faction (Lowi, Ginsberg, Shepsle, & Ansolabehere, 16).

Madison knew too well that some parties were of the opinion of doing away with a faction in order to form one stable and peaceful government. However, Madison had a different opinion together which was rather positive, as he argued that stability would not be realized if factions were eliminated since they were the very means through which differing interests of citizens would be assured representation in government.

Madison agreed that the existing and far much-differing factions were quite a number but went forth to emphasize the fact that if majority rule was to be applied, factions’ differences would be tamed hence unity within the government. Madison also pointed out on the means through which to ensure representation of ideas which is appointment as well as election of representative members in various government offices. As a result of this particular practice, factions are expected to make a bargain of differences hence resulting to minority groups’ protection which was rather the main idea of the whole aspect of faction. In such a representative government, the majority group is found to rule while, and at the same time, minority group ideas are integrated and considered accordingly.

Interest groups and factions

The present-day so-called interest groups can be said to be similar to early days’ factions. Just as it is the case with factions, people with a similar point of view tend to belong to similar interest groups. The implication, in this case, is that for individuals to gather in a certain group there has to be an agreement in ideas. However, it does not matter the number of persons required in order to form an interest group hence the majority as well as a minority that needs to be represented in government accordingly (Lowi, Ginsberg, Shepsle, & Ansolabehere, 13).

Factions control and the role of elections in the practice

Madison disagrees with the factions’ elimination process as a way of coming up with a rather unified government and instead, supports the issue of having it controlled. According to Madison, humankind will never have similar opinions due to different levels of reasoning particularly that influenced by property allocation. For Madison, the way forward is the application of control to the impact associated with the uncooperative faction.

Among the important controlling effects is a common good notion. According to Madison, each and every citizen should find it necessary to condemn a government that tends to utilize the nation’s apparatus in undertakings that portray cruelty. In most cases, disagreement is found to occur in instances where particular groups tend to create some faction with the common intention of oppressing individual as well as minorities’ rights.

1 hour!
The minimum time our certified writers need to deliver a 100% original paper

To a larger extent, this whole idea features common good disregard. This is where Madison’s idea of control comes in as he argues that for factions to prevail within a unified government the coercion need to be eliminated and minority group ideas’ represented accordingly. To Madison, it is considered natural for humankind to be easily attracted to animosity. When this happens, the result is that unfriendly passions are rekindled hence faction conflict. It is of great importance that such instances are avoided within a government by ensuring that the various factions with different ideas are well integrated so as to ensure that the main practice is not directed to minority oppression (Lowi, Ginsberg, Shepsle, & Ansolabehere, 35).

The aspect of factions control is also explained in terms of individual judgment whereby Madison pointed out the impossibility of individuals being in a position to judge rationally when presented with their very own ideas.

He argues that in situations where this is allowed, there is a considerably high tendency of undermining public good by all means. Ideally, this is what is expected in cases where factions’ differences are not controlled. In order to avoid the selfishness of own ideas’ judgment, it becomes necessary to integrate the different groups in a government that in one way or another provides different platforms for judgment with regard to represented ideas.

Elections are found to play a very critical role in ensuring factions control as it is the means through which citizens air their views by casting votes in favor of the different groups supporting distinct ideas. When citizens portray different ideas, it shows the necessity of having them equally represented in government through allocating the group’s offices within the government. Therefore, without elections, it is not easy to point out the majority as well as the minority ideas.

Works Cited

Lowi, Theodore, Ginsberg, Benjamin, Shepsle, Kenneth & Ansolabehere, Stephen. American Government: Power and Purpose. New York. W. W Norton & Company. 2010.

Print
Need an custom research paper on Factions, Interest Groups, and American Government written from scratch by a professional specifically for you?
808 writers online
Cite This paper
Select a referencing style:

Reference

IvyPanda. (2021, February 10). Factions, Interest Groups, and American Government. https://ivypanda.com/essays/factions-interest-groups-and-american-government/

Work Cited

"Factions, Interest Groups, and American Government." IvyPanda, 10 Feb. 2021, ivypanda.com/essays/factions-interest-groups-and-american-government/.

References

IvyPanda. (2021) 'Factions, Interest Groups, and American Government'. 10 February.

References

IvyPanda. 2021. "Factions, Interest Groups, and American Government." February 10, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/factions-interest-groups-and-american-government/.

1. IvyPanda. "Factions, Interest Groups, and American Government." February 10, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/factions-interest-groups-and-american-government/.


Bibliography


IvyPanda. "Factions, Interest Groups, and American Government." February 10, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/factions-interest-groups-and-american-government/.

Powered by CiteTotal, the best citation machine
If you are the copyright owner of this paper and no longer wish to have your work published on IvyPanda. Request the removal
More related papers
Cite
Print
1 / 1