- What concept that we have already discussed does “faction” remind you of?
The writer of section #10 of the Federalist Papers defines Faction as “a number of citizens..amounting to a majority or minority of the whole …united and actuated by some common impulse of passion or of interest” this definition sounds very similar to that of a political party and social class. Political parties are united by a common interest or passion or in their case a political view. Social classes aren’t an exact union they are connected through their position in society and experience mostly the same hardships or leisure if referring to the owning class.
- 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 less….”
Part 1: According to James Madison in Federalist #10 What is the source of wealth?
At the time the primary source of wealth for the owning class was property wealth. Owning private property allowed business owners to profit heavily.-Especially since the United States was just starting to become a country.
This bought business owners a unique advantage to be the ones communities relied on for they were the first businesses to be established. This of course allowed the rich to become extremely rich and the poor to be solely dependent on their ability to create an opportunity for work and products.
- Do you agree with this explanation of wealth and poverty?
Yes. Owning something that can be handy or provides a necessity puts you in a higher position than others. People become reliant on your service or business. This is beneficial to those who are gaining profit, but it can restrict those who are workers and those who are reliant on the product (or service). Given that this individual is in such a position of power, it can be played with and those who are reliant are toyed with. If the individual wants to gain more money he can lower their worker’s wages and raise the price of a service or product. This is the unfairness present in the system that divides the uneven distribution of wealth and why extreme poverty is present in societies where it shouldn’t be.
- 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 federalist papers reads in a way that it wouldn’t be the same political system present in England. It showed loyalty toward its citizens “Complaints are everywhere heard from our most considerate and virtuous citizens, equally the friends of public and private faith, and of public and personal liberty”. It showed an interest in the protection of citizens and highlight the injustice they experience by those abusing power. I was not surprised by this writing but it was interesting to read someone in a position of power to say something that pulls attention to those who are acting corrupt in their standing. Needless to say, it does sound drastically distant from the core mission of today’s society. Though the government has been changing and things are trying hard to progress. The misdistribution of wealth has been one of the most impacting forces in America’s society.
