1. What concept that we have already discussed does “faction” remind you of?
  2. According to Federalist #10 (written by James Madison), what is the source of wealth (private property)? What factor explains why some people get to possess wealth by owning private property, and others don’t (thus remaining poor)? This is a key question, because it shows how the authors of the Constitution thought about the difference between different classes of Americans! HINT: focus on the passage that begins: “The diversity in the faculties (WHAT DOES FACULTIES mean or refer to?) of men, from which the rights of property originate, is not les….”
  3. Do you agree with this explanation of wealth and poverty?
  4. What is the core mission (“first object”) of the US government? Does this surprise you, does it sound different from what our society today seems to suggest the core mission of the government is? Explain.
  5. Given the discussion in questions 1-4, are you surprised that Federalist #10 is not in favor of democracy, and supports a Republican (representative) form of government? Why would d the author dislike a (pure) democratic form of government? Hint: think about how this question connects with the social classes…

5 thoughts on “Discussion Board 6.2”

  1. 1. Interest groups or political coalitions
    2. The source of wealth is the diversity in men’s faculties abilities and talents. Differences in these faculties explain why some possess more wealth and others remain poor.
    3. This is a matter of perspective it highlights individual differences but may not account for all factors in wealth distribution.
    4. The first first object is to protect the different faculties of acquiring property. This focus on property rights may differ from current societal perceptions of the government’s primary mission
    5. Not entirely surprising. In a pure democracy, the majority could overrule the minority leading to instability and the infringement of property rights, which Madison sought to prevent.

  2. 1. Some concepts that faction reminds me of would be social classes or political parties since they are both groups of people who are united by certain opinions that go against many.
    2. The source of wealth according to federalist #10 is the rights of property that come from “The facilities of men”. Madison explains how humans have different and unequal facilities of acquiring property which leads to people ending up with different degrees and levels of property.
    3. I disagree I feel Madison’s explanation doesn’t cover all aspects. he connects wealth and poverty to individual talent and hard work and ignores unfairness like inherited wealth or laws that favor the wealthy.
    4. The core mission of the U.S government was to protect the facilities of aquiring property, Madison states ” The protection of the facilities is the first object of the government.” This does surprise me because I believe that the main goal of the government is to provide equality and let us use our guaranteed rights not just focus on protecting property right that benefits primarily the wealthy people.
    5. I. am not surprised that he disliked a pure democracy. Madison was very clear on where he stands He was one of the framers for the constitution in which he designed it to make It limit direct democracy.

    1. Hi Toni,

      Your comments should be directed at other students’ comments, not to my original post. Thus, this is not the correct way to answer this part of the discussion post assignment.. Please respond to your peers, not to my post.

  3. Hello Toni and Gladianny,

    Your comments should be directed at other students’ comments, not to my original post. Thus, these are incorrectly done assignments. Please respond to your peers, not to my post.

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