2 thoughts on “Discussion Board 6.2”

1. 1. Though factions are focused more politically, they share similarities with social classes. As described by Madison, factions are formed by shared economic interests. Social classes are based on economic status. Both can be represented as groups trying to advocate for the interests of a certain class.
   2. According to Madison, the source of wealth comes from “the diversity in the faculties of men,” faculties being the abilities or skills of making money. It is the inequality in natural abilities and skills to obtain property that is the reason others remain poor.
   3. I do not agree with Madison’s explanation of wealth and poverty. His ideas focus on natural abilities but not advantages. If everyone started out with land and the same amounts of money, it would be easy for them to stay wealthy, but it wasn’t like that. Madison focuses on the natural abilities, skills and talents of the wealthy, but not on what advantages they had over people who didn’t have the same resources.
   4. Madison believes that the government’s priority should be the protection of the rights of property. I think that at the time for Madison, that would have been an okay goal for the government to have but for today’s standards, I believe other things are more important.
   5. It’s not very surprising that the Federalist #10 was not in favor of democracy. It seems to favor concerns for the wealthy rather than common people. Madison speaks on the dangers of democracy because of the potential of social class conflicts. It mentions trying to reduce the mob mentality by giving the majority of the population, who are lower class, the ability to be in charge and make decisions for fear of losing their wealth.

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2. 1) What concept that we have already discussed does “faction” remind you of? Faction reminds me of the Republican and Democratic Party. Both groups have opposing views and values.
   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! The source of wealth is derived from diverse faculties (faculties can mean skill sets, resources or even intelligence). The ability to improve upon these skill sets and resources is what justifies having exclusive rights over them.
   2) Do you agree with this explanation of wealth and poverty? I agree with the explanation in a sense that it’s structured to keep the wealthy wealthy and keeping the poor poor. The wealthy have the tools and resources to have a right to private property thus giving them advantage over those who don’t.
   3) 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. I think the core mission of the US government is to serve the American people. However, when you look at the imbalance of the economic structure in society it seems that the government is solely there to protect and the wealthy while the poor continue to be bottom feeders.
   4) 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 the author dislike a (pure) democratic form of government? Hint: think about how this question connects with the social classes… I believe the author supports a republican government because they have more rights over resources and skill sets than democrats do. If lower class people gain the same source of wealth then the wealthy lose their riches.

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