1. A faction is a dissenting group within a larger one. Within politics, this would be a party within a party. For example, if a politician was a Socialist he would run as a Democrat. This is because socialism is a faction within liberalism. On the opposite side of the fence, we can find factions like the alt-right. They don’t represent republicanism, but republicanism does represent them as a dissenting group.
2. I think what he’s saying is that most wealth is inherited and that lower-class people are going to unionize into factions because they think they deserve wealth too and that it’s the government’s job to protect people’s property.
3. While the explanation by Maddison is self-interest based, It seems to be a fairly accurate description of the economic power vacuum found during the post-revolutionary era left in the wake of the British Empire. I don’t think it’s a good idea to remove the people’s voice, as this contradicts the core philosophies that went into the constitution and bill of rights, but I do see how democracy doesn’t always work. As such a young country it makes sense to prioritize growth before equality. The thing about democracy is how much it can hurt progress. In our country today every political decision made is two steps forward one step back. During the post-revolutionary era, the country was too delicate for such shenanigans so it totally follows that the safest bet was to restrict control to those qualified to govern. A lack of democracy will always give the added effect of having a classist governmental system, but I see where he’s coming from.
4. The core mission is the right to own property. I would argue that this has always been somewhat of a facade, especially from a contemporary perspective. If my core rights are to own property how can one explain debt in our society? Speaking from my own perspective, I don’t know a single American in my generation (who wasn’t born into wealth) who can afford to pay rent. Many of my generation plan to be indebted for life prior to even going to school. Good luck living life without a credit score, because credit is a pull into the void that 15% of Americans have been stuck in since 2006. The American dream has shifted from white picket fences to white utility vans. White picket fences come with property taxes, utilities, and likely a mortgage. A pre-owned utility van will give you more square footage per dollar at any price below 15k based on national averages. It’s not like property ownership has been banned, but it feels like it’s been discouraged. If owning property is discouraged then it is clear the core mission has failed.
5. It makes perfect sense. The democratic party was the party of the slave-owning class. Slave owners wanted their slaves to have countable votes, and this is where the 3/5ths compromise comes from. The democratic party wanted to shrink the federal government, and the republicans wanted a strong central government. In the context of a slave and immigrant-filled newly sovereign country, it makes sense to restrict democracy for the time being in order to tailor governmental changes.

1. Faction reminds me of a concept of social class. A faction is based on a small organized dissenting group within a larger one, especially in politics. A term the founders used to refer to political parties and special interests or interest groups. Faction reminds me of Different parties like Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, and Conservatives are examples of factions in today’s world.
2. According to Federalist #10 (written by James Madison), the source of wealth (private property) is a superior intelligence. The reason I say this is because Federalist #10 explains how they believe only in intelligent smart people, the ones that are born intelligent, the ones that are intelligent enough to find a way to become wealthy. Superior intelligence is caused by the person that is a member of the superior race. The superior race is very racist and we live in a racist society that apart from our origin, Race plays an important role in today’s society because it is one of the biggest influences played by racist beliefs in American society which is the difference between poverty and wealth. Some people are born into wealthy families and some are born into families that struggle to make ends meet and still have a good life.
3. I agree with the explanation of poverty and wealth because some people are raised in poverty because they are born into a capitalist community while the wealthy are born into riches that their past generation left behind. For example, the duchess and queens, dukes, and kings of the country are wealthy families. The working class gets exploited by the wealthy people (the owning class) to get credit for their work and make profits off of their hard labor which they exchange for money to help their family and to be able to make ends meet and be stable.
4. The core mission of the U.S Government is to make sure the wealthy get wealthier whereas the working people continue to struggle all their life to even make it past being in poverty. I think society hasn’t changed that much since their ‘first object’ because the government still thinks that way, during the presidential campaigns they always take about how they will make sure America has everything they need but immigrants and people in poverty still struggle; On one hand, immigrants can at least get DACA which permits them to study in college without getting in legal problems. But that’s only a small percentage The U.S Government’s core mission is always based on winning and having wealthy people take over politics because they are afraid that the working class might gain that power over them they make their fortune in real estate, corporations, and business off the work the working class exchanges for money.
5. No, I think Federalists #10 are similar to republicans in the way that they think they are in a superior race and how they don’t like democracy. Democracy is in a way a good thing for our government because it will make everyone equal, whereas a Federalist party only thinks about their wealth and status.

1. Faction reminds me of a small group like the social classes a group within another group. 

2. Okay , we don’t choose what family we are born into , a ritch or poor family . Some are born into ritch and live of there family and some are born poor and either build there self and or stay where they are . 

3. I agree with it because it depends on what u are born into 

4. Today there are so much welfare’s made to help the people today we have the healthcare and Medicare and everything. 

5.  I was not surprised that the #10 is not in favor of democracy and favors the republican form of government

1. What concept that we have already discussed does “faction” remind you of? 

Faction reminds me of a small organized group within a larger one, especially in politics .

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….”

A source of wealth would be inheritance . Most people are born into wealthy families and can live off their wealth , whereas others are born into poor families and can’t get the same type of wealth . 

3 . Do you agree with this explanation of wealth and poverty? 

I agree because like in question 2 , most people are born into wealthy families whereas others are born into poor or poverty family .

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. 

Protecting the faculties is the core mission of the US government . From the protection of different and unequal faculties of property to the influence of sentiments and views of the respective owner is the core mission .

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 …

No , I can see why they were not in favor of democracy . To them , democracy was a small number of citizens who assembled the government in person but could really admit no cure of mischief faction . While they favored republicans (representatives) because they opened a different type of prospect and promised them the cure they have been looking for .

1. Faction reminds of the concept of social class. A group in society defined by their own interests, opinions, or passions. 

2. The source of wealth is suggested be the faculties that each person has. These faculties to acquire wealth differ greatly from person to person and originate at the interplay between personal opinions and passions, which are different for each person. Hence, the ability of a person to actively gain wealth is implied to reflect “better” faculties compared to the faculties of a person who isn’t successful at gaining wealth.

3.  It is to a great extent true that some people have qualities that make them better at gaining wealth compared to others. Importantly, while biological factors might have an influence on these , these qualities are even more influenced by education and exposure to an environment that increases the likelihood of them manifesting and developing. And here lies the problem people don’t choose their environment at birth, but are rather prisoners of their environment. If this environment is hostile towards getting quality education, the chances of these people to get wealthy will also decrease. Hence, generations might succeed before somebody is able to break the cycle.  Another factor that is overlooked is luck a certain percentage of people are wealthy not due to their talents or hard work but because they got lucky for instance inherited a fortune. Importantly, it is much easier to earn the second million once you already earned the first, nowadays, the gap between the rich and the poor increases worldwide.

4. The first object was the protection of different and unequal faculties of acquiring property. In other words, the core mission was to create a framework that would help protect the wealthy few against the threat represented by the less wealthy and many. It was a bit surprising to learn about this, but when I sit and think, conflict around wealth is one of the most important forces in society and has likely been around since our species evolved.  In fact, I’d say this “core mission”, even nowadays, is a fundamental pillar of the law system and of how society is organized. The government nowadays is responsible for enforcing laws, including those relating to property, but first, without such laws, we might plunge into chaos, and second, this is one of its many, many other important functions for instance, guaranteeing personal safety of each individual, the right to education, intellectual property rights, etc. 

1. 1. What concept that we have already discussed does “faction” remind you of?
2. The concept of social class reminds me very similarity of faction as faction is amounting to a majority or 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. This is very similar to social classes as they are broken down into social and economic statuses.
4. 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.
5. The source of wealth (private property) is the facilities being built up. Within the reading, it states “The diversity in the faculties of men, from which the rights of property originate, is not less an insuperable obstacle to a uniformity of interests. The protection of these faculties is the first object of government.” The factor that explains why some people get to possess wealth by owning private property and others don’t (thus remaining poor) is “From the protection of different and unequal faculties of acquiring property, the possession of different degrees and kinds of property immediately results; and from the influence of these on the sentiments and views of the respective proprietors, ensues a division of the society into different interests and parties.”
7. 3. Do you agree with this explanation of wealth and poverty?
8. I do not particularly agree with this explanation of wealth and poverty because have too much of wealth and poverty can be very dangerous in a society. Individuals believe they can start taking control within their power of wealth and do what ever it is they want to do and not face consequences.
10. 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.
11. The core mission of the US government is that “As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to exercise it, different opinions will be formed. As long as the connection subsists between his reason and his self-love, his opinions and his passions will have a reciprocal influence on each other; and the former will be objects to which the latter will attach themselves. The diversity in the faculties of men, from which the rights of property originate, is not less an insuperable obstacle to a uniformity of interests.”
13. 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.
14. I am not surprised that Federalist #10 is not in favor of democracy and supports a Republican form of government. The author states within the article “From this view of the subject it may be concluded that a pure democracy, by which I mean a society consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble and administer the government in person, can admit of no cure for the mischiefs of faction . . . A republic, by which I mean a government in which the scheme of representation takes place, opens a different prospect, and promises the cure for which we are seeking.” He showcases the two differences of the views he sees for democracy and republic.

Veronica Gonzalez

POL 100 (0504) – Intro. to American Govt. – Fall 2022

Discussion Board 6.2

Q1.  A concept that faction is reminiscent of, is that of the disenfranchised. According to Charles Beard, “the slaves, indented servants, the mass of men who could not qualify for voting under property test imposed by the state constitutions and laws, and women, disenfranchised and subjected to the discriminations of the common law (pg. 1).” In essence, the disenfranchised, the majority class and working class all have the same members now in our times, as those that existed in the early years of the US.

Q2. According to the Federalist #10, the source of wealth are the faculties of men. The faculties of men are the rights, means and the abilities that men have to acquire, maintain and prosper the wealth (property) they own. My perspective, I am not in agreement with this point of view. Regardless of social class, opportunity exists for all individuals, regardless of ethinc group, skin color, gender or religious belief, to prosper not only in being property owners but in business owners, politics, etc…This country is made up of a myriad of individuals all with different cultures, opinions and beliefs therefore different interests will always occur not only with the owning of property but in all other aspects i.e. religion, government, etc… What is important is that among the differences, the main factors of respect and equality have to be recognized. The factor that explains why some people own wealth and others don’t is based on “the faculties of men. The disenfranchised have neither the rights, means and the abilities, according to their position in society, to be able to own property and therefore are not able to move from their current social class. Furthermore, according to J. Madison, “views of the respective proprietors, ensues a division of the society into different interests and parties … “. The owning class of the early US felt that those of different social classes, owning property, were a cause for concern in the sense that they would all have different interests that would create conflict.

Q3. I am not in agreement with this explanation of wealth and poverty mainly because too much power in the hands of the few can cause problems in the same way that power in the hands of many can cause problems as well. There needs to be an equal balance of power for the government to function equally. Regardless of inherited wealth, rights and social status, if individuals have the talent, ability and capability to create wealth, their current social class should not be a hindrance for them to become wealthy.

Q4. The core mission (main objective) of the Constitution is to protect the “faculties of men”, in other words to protect the rights, means and the abilities men have to acquire and own property. My perspective is that this type of core mission does exist today in our society in that the capitalist system (business/private sector) that we live in is in constant isolation from the 1) the realities of how the rest of the non-owning class live in and what their needs are, 2) does not value the fact that all individuals, regardless of social class, should been given equal rights and be allowed to take part in the opportunities that exist for them to prosper. Furthermore, the owning class in our modern time still is under the impression that only they have the rights, means and the abilities to prosper this nation and make all of the decisions without allowing participation from those who actually work to build and sustain it.

Q5. From my perspective, I am not surprised that Federalist #10 is not in favor of democracy but in favor of a republican form of government. In its early inception and creation as a nation, it was this very republican form of thinking that comprised the social class that was entitled, had the rights, means, capital, position and ownership of the lands of the country we live in. Representative of this point of view is the republican platform where power is in the hands of the few who, according to their wealthy social status, are able to prosper the government yet still offer the appearance of inclusion of all. The main point of view that J. Madison is trying to get across is that it is better for the few (republican) to have power over the many then for the many (democracy) to have power over all, mainly because in this case, the few are the owning class that have the economic power (wealth) as well as the faculties to make decisions that will help to set up and maintain government, not only for them, but for those that are not like them as well.

1. I would say the concept of Ideology remind me of a faction. People with the same ideologies shares the beliefs, and interest and so does people in the same faction. They share and want the same thing. For example, the Democratic party are considered a faction because the people share the same interest and idea. They have the same ideology.  

2. According to Federalist #10, the source is wealth is by owning private properties. The factor that explains why some people get to possess wealth , and others don’t is one’s faculty, meaning the intellectual capacity of the person is why some are rich, and some are poor. To be wealthy, you must be smart and intelligent enough to figure out the ways to own private property and make money, and if you are not smart enough then you can’t possess wealth, because you can’t figure out ways to make money even if you have private property, thus remaining poor. It all depends on the faculty.

3. I do agree with this explanation of wealth and poverty, because I’ve seen a lot of people who grow up poor but end up rich because they came up with ways to bring them money, and then maintain that wealth. I’ve also seen a lot of who grow up with money but end up poor because they couldn’t figure out a way to maintain that wealth. There are people who had good inheritances, but in a few years, they lose it all because they were not able to maintain that wealth. So, to be wealthy, and stay wealthy, I believe you do have to smart.

4. The first object of the US government is to protect the division of the very intelligent class who can acquire wealth, and the less intelligent class, who can’t( protection of the faculties). I’m not surprised by this because they wanted the private properties of wealthy Americans to be protected but it does sound different from what our society today seems to suggest the core mission of the government is, which according to the constitution is to promote general welfare, provide for the common defense, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and posterity.

5. I am not surprised that Federalist #10, is not a favor of democracy and supports a republican form of government because James Madison was afraid of democracy. He wanted a society where the people would elect a small number of people to represent them instead of a society where every individual votes directly for laws. He wanted the centralization of power within a select group of people, and that’s also why he disliked pure democratic form of government. He also thought pure democracy could lead to more violence of the factions.

1. Faction reminds me somewhat of the social classes. Since in a way know in days the political parties kind of also are based on power and money. It’s also like a social class where the republicans come to be seen as rich, Democratic as middle class and Independent as the working class.
2. The source of wealth is the ancestors whom have left land behind for those who are rich. How the rich continue to do se by running things and not allowing the poor to get anything. In the text they clearly show you how the poor people tend to just keep paying for land while the rich only continue to make them pay more and more. So, the rich gets richer as the poor gets poorer.
3. I really don’t, since I find it truly unfair how the rich then as they do now only take advantage of people. That is why some people shouldn’t be allowed to be in power, because they will never use it for common good, but instead for their own benefits.
4. The core mission of the U.S Government is to make sure those who can get rich will do so, while those who are poor continue to remain poor. This doesn’t surprise me at all, because I feel the country was and continues to be like this. The government always tries to find a way to protect the rich but yet those who aren’t rich have to face the genuine consequences that the rich never will. The government hasn’t changed much form then to now sadly enough.
5. Of course not, the writer of Federalist 10 would hate the idea of democracy. Since, democracy would end up actually making everyone be more equal but also because it’s for the people. In a democratic world, the people choose their government and that would not help the rich at all. Which is why when we have Democratic presidents there can be positive changes, while republican presidents are trying to help and look out for the interest of the rich.