Federalist No. 51 essays

Federalist No. 51 essays In the Federalist No. 51 by James Madison seems to be addressing the issue of separation of powers and the system of checks and balances. The first issue Madison tries to explain the need, purpose and justification for separation of powers for each branch of government. James Madison states that as all these exterior provisions are found to be inadequate, the defect must be supplied, by so contriving the interior structure of the government, ....be the means of keeping each other in their proper place. I believe that this statement was saying that having a strong structure for the national government would add stability to a country that was dealing with each state exercising its own powers, which in its self was becoming so troublesome to control. Madison has stating that even though the national government would be essentially united as one. Each section would have its own distinct characteristics. Each department should not need to rely and depend much on any other department, but be strong enough to carry out its duties specified in the Constitution. Having a separation of power within the national government continues to acknowledge the need for a strong national government, but by delegating certain duties and activities to the different branches establishes a sense of cooperation and unity with this entity of government. Separation of powers leads to the next issue, checks and balances. As addressed in No. 51, constant aim is to divide and arrange the several offices in such a way that each may check on the other; that the private interest of every individual, may be a sentinel over the public rights. Here Madison addresses the idea of checks and balances, where each branch has certain powers that when used can overstep certain powers of any one branch. Madison also brings up the idea of the governments concern with not just public rights and liabilities, but showing con ...