Isbn 9781506390475.

Federalist 10 and Federalist 51 are among the most famous of Madison’s contributions to the collection. As Kernell points out, notwithstanding Thomas Jefferson’s decision to mandate their inclusion in the curriculum at the University of Virginia, they were not written as academic treatises but rather as polemics. Kernell goes on to argue that Madison did not genuinely embrace the “checks and balances” of Fed. 51, preferring instead the security of institutionalizing factional competition proffered in Fed 10. Progressive historians, such as Charles Beard disagree, seeing Fed. 51 as revealing Madison’s dark, anti-democratic, side. Based upon your readings, to which point of view do you subscribe (and why)? Is there a third alternative, if so, what might that be?
Resources:
Kernell: Chapters 2-3, pp. 19-80
Debating Reform: Chapters 1 & 3, pp. 1-18 & 43-60
DeMint reading :”Saving Freedom” – Alternative Formats Click for more options “Saving Freedom” – Alternative Formats
Madrick reading: “Bigger is Better” – Alternative Formats Click for more options “Bigger is Better” – Alternative Formats
Ellis, Richard J. and Michael Nelson. Debating Reform: Conflicting Perspectives on How to Fix the American Political System, 4th ed. Washington, CQ Press, 2021. ISBN 9781544390598. (Available in epub ISBN 97815443900451 and ISBN 9781544390604 or ebook ISBN 9781544390178).
Kernell, Samuel, and Steven S. Smith. Principles and Practice of American Politics: Classic and Contemporary Readings, 7th ed. Washington: CQ Press, 2019. ISBN 9781506390475.