- What concept that we have already discussed does “faction” remind you of?
I think of factions as groups that are united by differences such as wealth, perceived religion, or for self-interest or common interests.
- 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….”
According to Federalist #10 The source of wealth is from the diversity of individual efforts and talents, obtained through competition.
why some people get to possess wealth by owning private property, and others don’t. Because many factors, such as slavery or discrimination and other biased policies, lead to unfair distribution of wealth, it has a huge impact on the wealth accumulation of different groups. Some people can easily accumulate wealth, while others are deprived of a fair chance to accumulate wealth. to the end of poverty. There is also the long-term wealth gap caused by the unfairness of social educational resources.
- Do you agree with this explanation of wealth and poverty?
I don’t agree. Because the diversity of abilities is also based on relative fairness. People who already have wealth have more and better social, educational and cultural resources, so they can better accumulate more on the original basis, and deprive others of the opportunity to accumulate wealth fairly.
- 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.
The core mission (“first object”) of the US government is to build a more perfect society and ensure fairness, justice and freedom. Improve citizen welfare. It surprised me, because from the text, it seems that the early United States focused on civil liberties, equality, welfare and other aspects that were beneficial to the people. However, in the actual society at that time, most civil society and political rights were controlled by a small number of people with wealth (people without property could not vote). Although social conflicts still exist today, social security is much more inclusive than when civil rights were improved in the early days.
- 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…
Not surprised. Because the framers believed that democracy would give the majority the ability to rebel against the small minority that owns wealth. threaten their wealth and status.
The reason the author dislikes a (pure) democratic form of government is Pure democracy in which the majority dominates may lead to instability in the social order and tyranny. Because most people’s educational level is not high. It’s hard to make a sound decision. Most people in the middle and lower classes may use their rights to oppress the rights of other groups, eventually leading to tyranny. Pure democracy may lead to class-based factions using their numerical superiority to gain their own interests at the expense of the interests (private property) of others (who are smaller in number).
