Question

note: this is the first time asking a question, I know this isn't a physcology question, but that was the only "subject" under social sciences that came anywhere near to the topic. is that what I should have done?

James Madison, in the Federalist Papers, argued that “factions” (interest groups) will balance out and neutralize each other across topics, geographic regions, interests, incomes, ethnic and religious backgrounds, and so on. Thus, no single or no few groups will dominate. In what ways was Madison right? How was he mistaken? Please explain.

Answer 1

James Madison along with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay published a collection of 85 essays and articles which was named as Federalist Papersto promote the ratification of the United States Constitution. He presents his arguments about factions and the necessity to control and organize them effectively which comes as the 10^thessay.

His primary argument is that people tend to form groups with others who share a common interest such as ethnicity, class etc. These factions will fight against each other thus disturbing and disrupting the state from functioning effectively. Although this forming of factions, according to Madison is inevitable, the effects they cause on the society can be limited by the government time and again. His argument is right in one sense that no one group will dominate the other but when he mentioned the divisions of ethnicity and class, there exists a discrimination which will certainly affect the normal functioning of the society. It was not until 1950s, African-Americans were included in the mainstream society. It was suppressed and oppressed, thus uniting all the African Americans under one umbrella for freedom. So he was wrong in saying that no one group will dominate the other. Another important thing is gender. Women were oppressed by men for a long time and they had to protestand fight for their rights to education, property and independence.

Society will forever struggle for equality and as long as there is inequality this struggle between factions will continue and the governments need to take decisions wisely in order to promote a healthy society.