Federalist Paper No. 10: Faction Control

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Questions and Answers

How does a greater variety of parties within the Union contribute to security?

It increases the likelihood of religious sects dominating national councils.
It allows factious leaders to gain influence in multiple states simultaneously.
It hinders the concert and accomplishment of the secret wishes of an unjust majority. (correct)
It promotes the rapid spread of localized issues, such as debt abolition, throughout the Union.

What is the likely outcome of a political faction arising from a religious sect within a part of the Confederacy, according to the document?

It poses a significant threat to the stability of all states within the Confederacy.
It will likely lead to a unified religious front that dominates national politics.
It will easily spread and engulf the entire nation due to shared religious beliefs.
It is less likely to endanger national councils due to the diversity of sects across the Union. (correct)

How does the size and structure of the Union serve as a remedy for issues common in republican governments?

By fostering a uniform culture that suppresses dissent.
By centralizing power and decision-making in a single entity.
By ensuring each state operates independently and avoids the need for federal intervention.
By creating obstacles to the spread of localized issues throughout the Union. (correct)

What attitude should republicans ideally hold toward federalism, according to the text?

An enthusiastic embracement, seeing it as essential to preserving freedom and stability. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios is least likely to 'pervade the whole body of the Union' according to the author?

A localized outbreak of civil unrest in a major port city. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario exemplifies how minor differences can escalate into significant conflicts, reflecting humanity's propensity for animosity?

Rival factions igniting into conflict over trivial matters due to deep-seated mistrust. (B) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of legislative decision-making, what inherent conflict arises when legislators are also members of distinct societal classes?

Legislators' personal interests and biases inevitably influence their judgment, undermining impartial justice. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why does the text suggest that allowing individuals to judge their own cases is inherently problematic?

Individuals' self-interest inevitably biases their judgment, compromising integrity and fairness. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios illustrates the role of factions in legislation concerning private debts?

The more powerful faction, whether creditors or debtors, will likely sway legislation in its favor, regardless of justice. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does the cited text characterize the impact of factions on society's ability to pursue the common good?

Factions undermine societal cooperation by fueling animosity and prioritizing narrow interests over the common good. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does the text characterize the nature of disagreements and conflicts among people?

Conflicts often stem from minor issues and humanity's tendency towards animosity. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is identified as the most frequent and enduring cause of factions?

The unequal distribution of property. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which concept does this passage employ to explore the dynamics of factionalism within society?

Interest group theory (B) Signup and view all the answers

What constitutes a faction?

A unified body of citizens, either a majority or minority, driven by a shared passion or interest that opposes the rights of others or the community's long-term interests. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What are the methods for addressing the problems caused by factions, as outlined in the text?

Removing the causes of faction or controlling its effects. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why is removing the causes of faction by destroying liberty considered unacceptable, according to the text?

Liberty is as essential to political life as air is to animal life, and destroying it is worse than the problems caused by faction. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between individual reason and faction?

As long as individual reason is fallible and free to exercise itself, varying opinions will form, contributing to faction. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does the text connect the protection of individual faculties with the division of society into different interests and parties?

Protecting different and unequal faculties of acquiring property results in different degrees of property, which influences sentiments and views, dividing society into different interests and parties. (D) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of addressing factions, what does controlling its effects entail, according to the text?

Designing a system of government that mitigates the negative impacts of faction while preserving liberty. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary origin of the 'latent causes of faction'?

The inherent nature of humanity. (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to the document, which of the following actions would be the MOST contradictory to the suggested approach to factions?

Enacting legislation to ensure that all citizens have equal opportunities to acquire property, regardless of their inherent faculties. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of increasing the number of electors too much on representatives?

It causes representatives to become insufficiently acquainted with local conditions and minor concerns. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does the federal Constitution balance interests according to the content?

By allocating great, aggregate interests to the national level and local, particular interests to State legislatures. (A) Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, why are factious combinations less of a threat in a republican government compared to a democratic government?

Republican governments can encompass a larger number of citizens and a greater extent of territory. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does extending the sphere (i.e., increasing the size of the republic) mitigate the risk of oppression by a majority faction?

By making it less likely that a majority will share a common motive to infringe on the rights of other citizens and making it harder for those with such a motive to coordinate. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What primarily inhibits communication when unjust or dishonorable purposes are being planned?

Distrust that arises in proportion to the number of people needed to concur. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What advantage does a large republic have over a small republic in terms of controlling the effects of faction?

The same advantage a republic has over a democracy: the substitution of representatives with enlightened views. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic will the representation of the Union most likely possess?

Enlightened views and virtuous sentiments that are superior to local prejudices and schemes of injustice. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What security is afforded by a greater variety of parties within a republic?

A lower likelihood of any single party dominating and oppressing the others. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the fundamental problem with pure democracies that makes them susceptible to the mischiefs of faction?

The absence of a representative system that can filter and refine public opinion. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does the scheme of representation in a republic aim to mitigate the risks associated with faction, as identified in the text?

By delegating government to a small number of citizens elected by the rest, thereby filtering public views. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the text imply about the effectiveness of moral and religious motives in controlling factions?

They are effective at controlling factions in small groups but lose their efficacy as the number of people involved increases. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why have pure democracies historically been characterized by turbulence and contention?

Because a common passion or interest is easily felt by a majority, leading to the oppression of the minority. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the author's view of 'theoretic politicians' who advocate for pure democracy?

They are naive in their belief that political equality will naturally lead to equality in other aspects of life. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the 'greater sphere of country' in a republic, as opposed to a pure democracy, according to the text?

It reduces the likelihood of a single faction gaining control over the entire government. (A) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the text, what does it mean to 'concert and carry into effect schemes of oppression'?

To secretly plot and execute plans that violate the rights of a minority group. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does the author use the terms 'democracy' and 'republic' and what is the crucial distinction between them.?

'Democracy' refers to a direct form of government, while 'republic' denotes a representative system, crucial difference being representation. (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what is the primary challenge in securing public good and private rights when a faction consists of a majority?

The ability of the majority faction to use popular government to prioritize its interests over the public good and the rights of other citizens. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does the content imply about the role of 'enlightened statesmen' in resolving conflicts arising from factional interests?

While desirable, enlightened statesmen cannot always be relied upon to set aside immediate interests in favor of broader considerations or the rights of others. (D) Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, why is the apportionment of taxes particularly susceptible to injustice?

A dominant party may be tempted to disproportionately burden a smaller group, thereby relieving its own financial burden. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main point of the content regarding the causes and effects of faction?

While the causes of faction are impossible to eliminate, efforts should focus on controlling its effects. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'great desideratum' mentioned in the content in relation to popular government?

The ability to balance the protection of public good and private rights against the dangers of faction, thereby justifying popular government. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does the content suggest that a faction consisting of less than a majority is typically controlled in a republican system?

Through the republican principle, where the majority can outvote the minority faction, limiting its ability to enact its agenda. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios best exemplifies the problem the content describes regarding domestic manufactures and foreign restrictions?

A country imposes tariffs on imported goods, benefiting domestic manufacturers but increasing costs for consumers. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What underlying assumption does the content make about individuals involved in governance and politics?

Individuals are often influenced by their own interests and may prioritize those interests over the public good or the rights of others. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Union Size Benefits

A larger union makes it harder for factions to dominate because of diverse interests.

Faction Spread

Widespread factions are less likely in a large union than in a single state.