1. Faction reminds me of the concept of social class, specifically the working class within social classes.Factions are described as groups of individuals whether the minority or majority that are united due to common interests/grievances that conflict with the rights of others or hinders the well-being of society.This reminds me of how social classes function, they are often groups of individuals with shared economic interests (either the working class or wealthy elite)who often advocate for policies that benefit their specific group.
2. The main source of wealth is identified as the diversity in the faculties of mean, this meaning that individuals’ natural talents and abilities allow them to gather wealth.These natural differences among people ultimately lead to unequal wealth distribution, as varying skills and talents have a large influence on career choices and economic strategies.These faculties causing different results amongst individuals in gaining wealth and property.
3. I honestly don’t agree with this explanation of wealth/poverty.While yes it’s true that talents and strengths vary among individuals across the United States, most people with similar abilities end up in extremely different social classes.Many times, those in lower social classes face societal barriers that limit their opportunities and chances of using their strengths the same way as others in higher social classes do.
4. According to Madison the first object of the government is protecting the right of property, this not being surprising as it reflects the found fathers main priority of securing individual economic interests.Meanwhile, the current governments main focus at the time is public safety and social welfare, so instead of solely protecting what is already had by citizens, the government is now working on providing citizens with the opportunities and resources they should already have.
5. It isn’t at all surprising that Madison favored a Republican government opposed to a pure democracy.Based off of Madison’s beliefs, a republic would better suit handling factional conflicts and protect property of private owners from potential threats proposed by the majority.Whereas, in a pure democracy the majority would be made up of the working class citizens and would be able to unite and redistribute wealth (fairly) and undermine property rights, all of these things not sitting right with Madison at all.

1. From what context does faction remind you? The modern idea of “faction” mentioned in Federalist #10 relates to social class divisions and economic interests. These two concepts are discussed by both Parenti and Beard. Beard believes that the Constitution was written by the wealthy elite for their purposes, and being a member of a political faction had something to do with being of a certain economic class. Parenti takes this one step further and argues that factions aren’t simply a group of people with different opinions— they usually symbolize a struggle between the rich and the poor. The upper class, consisting of landowners, bankers, and merchants, formed factions to protect their interests, while the working class and small farmers never had political power.

2. Where does this wealth (private property) come from, and why do some people have it and others not?

In Federalist #10, Madison claims that wealth (private property) arises from natural abilities or faculties that differ among men. However, according to Beard and Parenti, that is a convenient explanation that ignores real and obvious ways of acquiring wealth: privilege, inheritance, and law and policy benefitting the rich. 

Beard argues that many framers of the Constitution were already wealthy at the time the Constitution was written, and they passed the law conceiving the protection of their economic interests. The government gave them land; it enforced their contracts favoring the creditors versus the debtors; and it provided the conditions for the rich to remain in power. Parent argues against the prevailing notion that wealth is a result simply of hard work or even talent. He argues for a view that sees capitalism creating conditions for inequality because of the concentration of wealth in the hands of the few, on account of exploiting the labor of the workers. The rich remain rich not merely because of their ability, for the very maintenance of their position depends on keeping a system that keeps them in power. 

3. Do you go along with that understanding of wealth and poverty?

Beard and Parenti will scarcely agree with Madison because wealth is naturally linked to talent or intelligence. Instead, they will show how laws and policies favor one group against another. In reality, many members of the poor class work as hard as the rich do, but land, education, and financial resource access are things denied them.

Take, for example, the early U.S. government granting land and legal protection to wealthy men; poor farmers and workers had little political voice. Today, large corporations and well-to-do individuals influence government policy through lobbying and campaign donations to defeat lower-income people. It means the question of poverty is not just about individual effort; it is also about how economic and political systems are structured.

4. The core mission or first object of the U.S. government establishes what the government is. Madison, in Federalist 10, propounds that the government shall ensure the protection of private property. This is easily surprising for it seems today that one thinks of government in terms of protecting rights, enforcing justice, and enabling public services.

But then again, Beard and Parenti say, that is not all there is to property protection. That is simply another way of talking fair and just. It was keeping power in the hands of the wealthy. Many of the framers of this Constitution landowners and creditors could reasonably think that some degree of democracy would mean the poor could get at their wealth. That is why they created a government that, as far as they could, was to protect the economic elite.

Even now, according to Parenti, the government favors corporations and rich people in tax breaks corporate subsidies, or laws that weaken unions. This takes us back to the claim that the government was as good as it is now in protecting wealth, just as during the time of writing the Constitution.

5. Why does Federalist No. 10 oppose pure democracy and favor a republic?

Beard and Parenti would argue that, in his opposition to pure democracy, Madison is imagining a state in which the majority would possess political power-borrowing from the elite, even more so from the filthy rich.

One could vote for very taxing rates over the rich or a debt policy for farmers, given that it’s shaped by a simple majority. But that was just what the rich elites composing the Convention did not want. Instead, Madison supported a republic, where elected representatives make decisions. This was a method to filter power through elites who would act in their economic interests rather than in the interests of the majority.

Beard shows that many of these representatives were themselves wealthy landowners or merchants, so the system was set up to keep their interests safe. Parenti argues that this fear of democracy must still have an echo in our day. Today, even with more people entitled to vote, money still controls the apparatus of politics. Rich individuals and corporations use campaign donations, lobbying, and media influence on government policy to work in their favor. So, while the U.S. appears to be a democracy, it works in a way that protects the interests of the rich as Federalist #10 intended.

1. The word “faction” reminds me of the concept of social classes. For example, President Trump is a person who has belonged to the upper class his entire life. Majority of his following includes other people who belong to the upper class. His policies, views, and laws are all built around keeping the rich wealthy.
2. According to Federalist #10 written by James Madison, the source of wealth comes from the “diversity in the faculties of men”. Madison is arguing that your wealth/ability of becoming wealthy is based on your intelligence, education, and opportunities.
3. I both agree and disagree with the explanation of wealth and poverty. Yes, education can make you both intelligent and rich but the explanation is ignoring the simple fact that many people are born into a life of opportunity. The explanation also completely leaves out racism and sexism due to the time period. A poor person could have the intelligence and skills needed to become the next president yet due to the fact that they aren’t educated enough, they will never get the opportunity.
4. According to Federalist Paper #10, the core mission of the US government is to protect its people from factions and control factions ability to influence and infiltrate the government. This doesn’t surprise me because I feel that this is still happening today. Many movements that encourage people to fight for democracy is seen as a threat to the government. The movements influence people to question the natural order of things.
5. I am not surprised that Federalist Paper #10 is not in favor of democracy and supports a Republican government. A democratic government could give “ordinary” people the tools to propel forward. For example the Constitution did not free the slaves. The government’s biggest fear would be the same people who they own and demean could become an educated law maker like them.

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

*Divisions between groups are caused by factions, which is related to the idea of labor and industry development. Factions classify individuals, particularly with regard to the division of labor-based wealth.

    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 less ….”

*According to Federalist #10, those who are poor have less access to wealth (private property) since it is retained in the hands of the already wealthy. In order to survive, the working class must sell manual labor, which creates a vicious cycle, as James Madison explains. The working class is motivated to work harder by liberty, diversity among individuals makes numbers stronger, and faculties are used to keep groups apart so they can’t challenge the wealthy—an ongoing obstacle.

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

*Although the reading provides a clear explanation of wealth and poverty, I only partially agree with it. It doesn’t accurately represent how someone who isn’t familiar with wealth and poverty would be described.

    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.

*Preventing violent faction conflicts and maintaining social stability are the main goals of the U.S. government. It protects social classes from one another and manages power between them. In contrast to the early government, which was completely exclusive, division is harmful and is frequently concealed by the government’s efforts to cover up exclusion today.

    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 the author dislike a (pure) democratic form of government? Hint: think about how this question connects with the social classes…

*The opposition to democracy in Federalist #10 is not surprising. According to the document, the goal should be to control the effects of factions rather than trying to eliminate their causes. The issue is not resolved by taking away rights, and chaos results from letting factions turn into a riot.

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

The concept of faction reminds me of the idea of social class divisions and economic interests. Just like the wealthy elites who wrote the Constitution feared democracy because it could lead to policies favoring the lower classes, Madison describes factions as groups driven by self-interest, often at odds with the rights of others or the common good. This connects to the concern that the lower classes, if given too much power, might push for economic changes that threatened elite property and wealth.

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)?

In Federalist #10, James Madison argues that the source of wealth and private property comes from the “diversity in the faculties of men,” meaning the natural differences in people’s abilities, talents, and intelligence. He suggests that these differences lead to unequal economic outcomes, where some individuals accumulate wealth and property while others do not. According to Madison, government exists to protect these unequal faculties and their resulting property, reinforcing a class divide between the wealthy, who own property, and the poor, who do not. This perspective shows that the framers of the Constitution viewed economic inequality as natural and inevitable, justifying a system that favored property owners over the working class

Do you agree with this explanation of wealth and poverty?

I agree to a certain extent with Madison’s explanation of wealth and poverty, but I believe it’s more than just talent, intelligence, and ambition that separates the wealthy from the poor. While these individual qualities certainly play a role, factors such as culture, tradition, oppression, and upbringing also have a significant influence. People born into disadvantaged communities often face systemic barriers, including limited access to education, healthcare, and social networks, which can stifle their potential. On the other hand, those born into privileged circumstances may have advantages that allow them to develop their talents and ambition in ways that others cannot. Cultural values and historical oppression, such as racism and classism, also shape the opportunities available to individuals and can create an uneven playing field. Therefore, while personal faculties may contribute to one’s success, external factors are equally important in determining an individual’s ability to accumulate wealth.

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, or “first object,” of the U.S. government, according to Federalist #10, is the protection of private property. Madison argues that government exists primarily to safeguard the diverse faculties of individuals, from which property rights emerge, and to protect the various kinds of property that result from these faculties. This includes not only physical property but also wealth, labor, and the fruits of one’s labor. It is not surprising that the core mission of the U.S. government, according to Federalist #10, is the protection of private property. The founding fathers were wealthy land and business owners who prioritized safeguarding property as a means of maintaining social and economic stability. At the time, property ownership was closely tied to individual freedom, prosperity, and status, and protecting it ensured that the interests of the elite class were maintained. This emphasis on property rights is also reflected in the structure of the Constitution, which was designed to protect the status quo and limit the influence of the less wealthy majority. While modern society might view the government’s role as more focused on promoting equality, social welfare, or public good, the protection of private property remains a top priority to economic and legal frameworks today, making Madison’s viewpoint still relevant in modern society

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…

I’m not surprised that Federalist #10 supports a republican form of government over a pure democracy. Madison and other framers were concerned that direct democracy could lead to majority rule, where the property-owning elite could be oppressed by the masses. They believed a republic, with elected representatives, would protect the interests of property owners by moderating public opinion and preventing the lower classes from gaining too much influence. This focus on safeguarding wealth and property reflects the social class structure at the time, where the elite sought to secure their own interests through a more controlled system of government

1- The concept of labor and the development of industry through that is what rings a bell when faction is mentioned. The word faction creates a divide groups those into categorial places. The labor mentioned in our previous discussions and how wealth is divided amongst them.

2- The source of wealth (private property) according to the Federalist #10 is keeping the wealth contained to the already wealthy. In other words, James Madison is speaking about limiting the access of money to those in the poor class. constantly subjected to selling manual labor to their higher ups in order to survive at the least. The cycle repeats with how two things are brought up, Liberty as to what drives the working class to try and try harder. Then diversity amongst men who have strength in numbers. Faculties in this case is a given sense of order to which men are divided and placed within to keep them apart from going against the wealthy. Created as a blockage that remains in effect today.

3- The explanation of wealth and poverty discussed in the reading is clear. Though I do agree with small parts, it is not how someone would describe wealth and poverty to someone who has no previous knowledge or continuous understanding of the topic.

4- The core mission, first objective of the US government is to ensure stability of the society run. There should be no violence between factions where it may turn to civil war in extreme cases. The US government serves as a rule to power the social classes and protect them from one another if that logic is applied. Division is what ruins us and sounds different in relation to exclusion. Modern time US government tries to sweep these issue and cover them. Unlike the early government that was adamant on exclusivity. Today is no other than similar to what it started as where it tries to hide the blatant exclusion this time and lie to the citizens of what the truth is.

5- The Federalist #10 not being in favor of democracy is not surprising. The obviousness of why they dislike it is prevalent when speaking about the faction violence. “The inference to which we are brought is, that the CAUSES of faction cannot be removed, and that relief is only to be sought in the means of controlling its EFFECTS…” Removing a right does not stop the problem and allowing it untamed makes it unmanageable.

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

1. Faction reminds me of the concept of social class. The idea of a faction is when a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or minority of the whole, become united by some common impulse of passion or of interest. Social class is similar in the sense that individuals are separated into a majority or minority group and are united by similar interests. The wealthy group with the wealthy, the working class are grouped with the working class and so on.
   
   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)?
   
2. According to Federalist #10, sources of wealth are the faculties of men, which allow them to own property. Faculties are the abilities and rights to acquire properly which naturally have differing interests and opinions. They use whatever abilities and means to gain wealth and build open their expanse of property. The wealthy can share information, gather information on ways to continue to gain more capital, advantages the working class do not have. The poor, not being able to afford to learn or grow, stay stagnant and stuck in jobs that barely cover living expenses.
   
   Do you agree with this explanation of wealth and poverty?
   
3. I do agree with this explanation of wealth and poverty. The wealthy have the ability to obtain their own property while those in poverty struggle to even hold on to what they already have. The wealthy do not want the poor to own property. Instead, they wish to use their need for it to help them continue to gain more wealth.
   
   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.
   
4. The mission or “first object” of the US government is the protection of the faculties of men. I am not surprised by this, as the government as well as the constitution were created and run by wealthy individuals with goals that aligned with their own freedoms and wealth. This is no different in society today: the government is still run by the wealthy and their goals still align with benefiting just the wealthy.
   
   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?
   
5. I am not surprised that Federalist #10 is not in favor of democracy and supports a republican form of government. The author would dislike a pure democratic form of government as it only consists of a few citizens who assemble and administer the government in person who bring no cure for the mischiefs of a faction. A Republic, on the other hand, opens a different prospect and promises a cure. Democracy builds around the wealthy and focuses solely on the wealthy, while a republican focuses on the people as a whole.

1. Faction would be similar to the conservative and liberal parties we discussed in passed modules. 
2. Federalist #10 describes a persons capabilities as the means of wealth. There capabilities allow them to acquire wealth by working or being a business owner.  Special talents can allow certain people to own private properties while others may never have those opportunites because they don’t have the skill required. 
3. I feel like I’m in the middle. Wealth is dependent on the skills or talents one has but at the same time people from backgrounds of inequality get overlooked easily and then they are never given the opportunity. 
4.  The first objective is to protect the “faculties” or the wealthy. It doesn’t sound different from our government. The trump administration has put all his friends in positions of power so basically protecting his faculties
5. The author would hate a pure democratic form of government because then the working class interests and ideas would need to be considered and protected.

The term “faction” in the #10 Federalist comes to mind with the concept of social and economic stratification that we have discussed. A faction, according to Madison, consists of a group of citizens unified by a common interest that is generally hostile to the people or the public interest. This is a direct correlation to the colonial America’s class distinctions, with the wealthy elite and disfranchised poor having competing interests. The Founding Fathers, and Madison in particular, feared that if political authority was granted to the majority—the common man, the working- and lower-class citizen—then they would use it to trample the rights of the rich minority. The Constitution was therefore drafted to restrain factions by limiting direct popular authority.

The root cause of wealth (private property), as argued by Federalist #10, is the natural distinction among people. Madison argues that the differences, which he calls “faculties”, are the innate capacity, aptitude, or talents that determine the capacity of a person to achieve and retain property. Under this understanding, certain people have faculties that enable them to accumulate wealth, and others do not have faculties and hence are poor. Such an explanation renders economic disparity an innate and necessary byproduct of human distinctions rather than a result of institutions or policy. However, such an understanding overlooks external factors such as inherited wealth, systemic barriers, and social privilege that also explain economic distinctions. While others could agree with Madison’s understanding, others could argue that wealth is not entirely a result of personal capacity but also of economic and social conditions that one cannot do anything about.


Madison sets out the first priority (“first object”) of the U.S. government as the protection of the right of property holders. Such a priority would come as a shock given that today government talk revolves around democracy, equality, and the public good as its raison d’être as opposed to protection of private property as its first priority. Yet in the historical context, it aligns with the interests of the Founding Fathers in the protection of the economic interests of the elite class. No wonder, therefore, that the Federalist #10 advocates a Republican (representative) system of government as opposed to a pure democracy. Madison was worried that a direct democracy would give the majority of the people (the working poor) the power to pass a bill of attainder that would redistribute wealth or harm property rights. In advocating a republic, Madison ensured that representatives elected to office—typically members of the elite class—would serve as a mediating force and have power over the masses. This is another way the Constitution was crafted to maintain the power of the rich to the detriment of the poor.