Federalist No. 51 (Madison)
Contains the famous passage: 'If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.'
Read in Books4Free →Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances
From The Federalist Papers by Hamilton, Madison, Jay
Publius argues that because men are not angels, government must be structured so that ambition counteracts ambition, with each department having a will of its own and constitutional means to resist encroachment.
Federalist No. 51
Ambition must be made to counteract ambition. The interest of the man must be connected with the constitutional rights of the place.Read in Books4Free →
Federalist Nos. 47-48 (Madison)
Responds to Anti-Federalist objections by showing Montesquieu's separation doctrine does not require total separation; parchment barriers alone are insufficient.
Read in Books4Free →Federalist No. 48
Warns that the legislative branch is 'everywhere extending the sphere of its activity and drawing all power into its impetuous vortex.'
Read in Books4Free →Read or Listen to The Federalist Papers on Books4Free
Every chapter free to read. Free audio narration on the opening chapter. Plus an AI study assistant that knows the book.
Open in Books4Free →