Extended Republic as the Fittest Form of Government

3. Extended Republic as the Fittest Form of Government

Compared to the previous system under Articles of Confederations, the Constitution provides more protection. The US Constitution divides government into three separated branches which exercise its power on different levels. Since government is the realization of peo ple‘s demands, its main task is to secure the rights of the people; therefore in protecting the rights of the people, government must

be vested with certain degree of authority from the governed (the people).

Under Articles of Confederation, the 13 states were more controlling than central government. Every time central government tried to pass a law, it had to be under all state s‘ approval; otherwise the law would not be ratified. Each of the 13 States put their interests in the first place before putting national interest in considering national policies. If what central government offered did not benefit the

13 states, they would not approve it. Politically, the United States could not be run with such unhealthy governmental system where the States member acted selfishly in deciding national interest. The national government was weak because it consisted of only legislative branch (unicameral), without separation of powers. There were no additional supports to the central government, like the executive branch which would 13 states, they would not approve it. Politically, the United States could not be run with such unhealthy governmental system where the States member acted selfishly in deciding national interest. The national government was weak because it consisted of only legislative branch (unicameral), without separation of powers. There were no additional supports to the central government, like the executive branch which would

No man is allowed to be a judge in his own cause, because his interest would certainly bias his judgment, and, not improbably, corrupt his integrity. With equal, nay with greater reason, a body of men are unfit to be both judges and parties at the same time; yet what are many of the most important acts of legislation, but so many judicial determinations, not indeed concerning the rights of single persons, but concerning the rights of large bodies of citizens? (Madison, Federalist Paper no. 10)

Human is a creature of interest. Raised and nurtured by society, they will carry transferrable self-expectations from the people around, as well as their own. And as long as they live and carry expectations, this might cloud their judgments in deciding things. Under the Articles of Confederation, the Union was not solid, lack of consolidation. 13 states worked independently, defending their own needs and rights. Consequently there was small chance for the chosen officers or statesmen of each state to function for nation al need‘s sake. A body of men, in this case the Congress under Articles of Confederation, could not do justice to the political system of the

Union. Furthermore, it could not protect people‘s need as Madison said, ―..unfit to be both judges and parties at the same time,‖ since states‘ representatives did not use

their good will as statesmen to give best decision as they represent the people of United States; but merely as congressmen who were jealous at each other. Congress needed other branches that would balance their power, to make them doing their job

as US people rest their trust in them in guaranteeing national‘s need. To counteract any selfish policies they made, to implement and enforce laws, to interpret laws and as US people rest their trust in them in guaranteeing national‘s need. To counteract any selfish policies they made, to implement and enforce laws, to interpret laws and

Citing another paper of Madison, Federalist Paper no. 51, Madison mentioned that ―..ambition must be made to counteract ambition.‖ The Constitution of United States was designed to work based on people‘s demands. It divides the national government into three branches that work together as checks and balances system. Those three branches are the legislative, executive, and judiciary branches, and each of them has specific tasks as written in the Constitution, and described in separate articles.

Madison prescribed republican form of government as the proper cure of it. This statement will be analyzed based on two points of view: (1). Why this statement is justifiable, by mentioning Madison‘s musings why he suggested republican form of

government on Federalist Paper no. 10 which could be achieved through Constitution (2). What kind of republican government, specifically, which fits the characteristics of United States.

Opening his ideas in introducing republican system of government through Constitution ratification, James Madison stated

The inference to which we are brought is, that the causes of faction cannot be removed, and that relief is only to be sought in the means of controlling its effects.

If a faction consists of less than a majority, relief is supplied by the republican If a faction consists of less than a majority, relief is supplied by the republican

Madison mentioned that the possible solution in dealing with factions was to control its effects, and this solution was provided by republican system of government. He tried to convey the fact that republican system was what the young United States needed, under the Constitution guidance. He mentioned how republican system supported fairness and transparency among the people because one interest cannot overwhelmingly conquer others, there will be checks and balances among one interest to others hence there will be no tyranny of the majority. The amount of neglected interests can be minimalized under republican system ; as in, everyone‘s aspirations are counted. The practice of republican system might be more complicated than that of direct democracy, but under the Constitution, republican system promises more law and order as well as social welfare to the people of US. In order to magnify the goodness of republican principle under Constitution guidance, Madison pointed out the differences between republican system itself and pure democracy (direct democracy). He gave clear definitions of each system, analyzed, and then compared them to emphasize that republican system is better than direct democracy.

James Madison linked the comparison of direct democracy system vs. Republican system to the history of US settlement, when the young nation usually held town meetings to discuss important issues. In these meetings, most of a

community‘s citizens gathered in the town hall to discuss and decide on the local

States had once, in their early settlement. After years of occupancy, US government changed and operated under the Articles of Confederations. This phenomenon developed later on, as evolutionary step from direct democracy to government with republican system under Constitution. Madison‘s intentions in comparing the two aforementioned systems were to mark the political evolution of the States, and to emphasize that the search of the fittest form of government reached its finale through the idea of having republican system under Constitution guidance.

Madison concluded pure democracy as ―…a society consisting of a small

number of citizens, who assemble and administer the government in person, can admit of no cure for the mischiefs of faction. (Federalist Paper no. 10)”. According

to Madison, direct or pure democracy which means government by the masses, cannot give advantages to the US government, because it could not provide the cure for the mischiefs of faction. This is because in direct democracy, those who become the part of major interest will get the most benefits, while the need of lesser member could be neglected, since through direct democracy major people‘s voices would always win. What Madison was trying to achieve when he prescribed republican system for US, was the kind of government that would benefit all, the one that will safeguard private rights and public good, without neglecting minor rights or the risk of witnessing tyranny of the majority.

Madison interjected , ―there is nothing to check the inducements to sacrifice the weaker party or an obnoxious individual ”. In direct democracy, there are no other Madison interjected , ―there is nothing to check the inducements to sacrifice the weaker party or an obnoxious individual ”. In direct democracy, there are no other

Negara-negara kota Yunani klasik juga berbeda dengan negara-negara modern dewasa ini, baik dilihat dari luas wilayahnya, struktur sosial, jumlah penduduk, maupun lembaga-lembaga politiknya. Luas wilayah kekuasaan negara kota umumnya tidak melebihi luas dari propinsi terkecil di Indonesia sekalipun. Jumlah penduduknya sekitar tiga puluh ribu orang. Jumlah penduduk relatif kecil memungkinkan anggota-anggota negara kota untuk saling mengenal dan memahami. Komunikasi politik juga tidak terlalu sukar dalam negara kota berjumlah penduduk relatif kecil itu. Karena itulah sistem demokrasi langsung (direct democracy) bisa dilaksanakan secara baik di negara-negara kota itu. (Suhelmi, 2001, p. 27)

It is possible to apply direct democracy to small city states. The relatively fewer amount of citizens made communications from one person to another easier; people know each member of city states better and as a result, similar interest or political atmosphere could be created.

US is one country made up of many parts. For such large geographical area with diverged population like United States, conducting direct democracy is difficult. Different geographical situations created different amount of wealth, and different amount of wealth created different interest for people. With such large area and vastly US is one country made up of many parts. For such large geographical area with diverged population like United States, conducting direct democracy is difficult. Different geographical situations created different amount of wealth, and different amount of wealth created different interest for people. With such large area and vastly

Madison therefore suggested republic as the solution, instead of direct democracy. He defines republic ―A republic, by which I mean a government in which the scheme of representation takes place, opens a different prospect, and promises the cure for which we are seeking.” (Federalist Paper no. 10). The form republican government becomes Madison‘s product of political philosophy as his realization of ideal government which safeguards people‘s rights and still promotes public good. And by republic, Madison emphasized that a ―government in which the scheme of representation takes place‖.

The two great points of difference between a democracy and a republic are: first, the delegation of the government, in the latter, to a small number of citizens elected by the rest; secondly, the greater number of citizens, and greater sphere of country, over which the latter may be extended. (Madison, Federalist Paper no 10).

Firstly, in terms of representation: different from direct democracy, republican system delegates its power to certain amount of people who are chosen by whole citizens. Those people are elected by the will of people, and in return, act to represent

people‘s rights. If direct democracy‘s highest power lies directly on people‘s voices, republican system‘s highest power still lies on people, but it is represented by few

whom being elected by the rest. Secondly, republican system is ideal for nations with large geographical area. This system is more adjustable than direct democracy, for direct democracy only works in small areas. Adjustable, because in large areas whom being elected by the rest. Secondly, republican system is ideal for nations with large geographical area. This system is more adjustable than direct democracy, for direct democracy only works in small areas. Adjustable, because in large areas

being represented by some chosen citizens may best decide the true interest of the whole nation. Madison strengthened by mentioning “Under such a regulation, it may well happen that the public voice, pronounced by the representatives of the people, will be more consonant to the public good than if pronounced by the people themselves, convened for the purpose. (Federalist Paper no. 10) . If people‘s interests are being represented by no other than themselves, the winning major interest will be taken as the final decision for the nation, while the minority will be put aside. For such large states especially United States this situation is unfair; each individual has different interest from one another. In republican system, nation‘s decision will be taken from people‘s representatives in central government. And these representatives are people‘s choices who understand the people that they represent. On the contrary,

representatives have questionable morals. Having representatives run the government does not necessarily avoid political misconducts, ―On the other hand, the effect may

be inverted. Men of factious tempers, of local prejudices, or of sinister designs, may, by intrigue, by corruption, or by other means, first obtain the suffrages, and then betray the interests, of the people. ‖ (Federalist Paper no. 10). Since people are naturally born with certain interests which nurtured by society, they can sacrifice the interests of the society to achieve their personal ambitions. To put simply, there are two types of statesmen: those who are faithful to their causes, loyally defending the be inverted. Men of factious tempers, of local prejudices, or of sinister designs, may, by intrigue, by corruption, or by other means, first obtain the suffrages, and then betray the interests, of the people. ‖ (Federalist Paper no. 10). Since people are naturally born with certain interests which nurtured by society, they can sacrifice the interests of the society to achieve their personal ambitions. To put simply, there are two types of statesmen: those who are faithful to their causes, loyally defending the

The next thing to ponder is how to decide whether small or extensive republics are more favorable in minimalizing the negative side of republican system. Madison favored extensive republic against small republic.

Extend the sphere, and you take in a greater variety of parties and interests; you make it less probable that a majority of the whole will have a common motive to invade the rights of other citizens; or if such a common motive exists, it will be more difficult for all who feel it to discover their own strength, and to act in unison with each other. (Madison, Federalist Paper no. 10)

What Madison meant by extending here is not merely about expanding US territory. Before the Constitutional Convention was held, there was a riot caused by central government‘s inability in assuring people‘s welfare. The Union almost faced its doom for the lack of law and order. Here came Madison‘s idea of extended republic, a republican system of government which is applied in nation with large territories. From the statement above James Madison argued that through extended republic system there will be more parties and interests, moreover it will prevent the existence of majoritarian party and/or tyranny from the strongest group of interest. The smaller the society, there will be fewer variations of parties or interests, and the more likely a majority will be found. The strongest party with the most interest will conquer, and the voices of minority will get neglected. Through extended republican system, people are given varied candidates from states members, candidates are not What Madison meant by extending here is not merely about expanding US territory. Before the Constitutional Convention was held, there was a riot caused by central government‘s inability in assuring people‘s welfare. The Union almost faced its doom for the lack of law and order. Here came Madison‘s idea of extended republic, a republican system of government which is applied in nation with large territories. From the statement above James Madison argued that through extended republic system there will be more parties and interests, moreover it will prevent the existence of majoritarian party and/or tyranny from the strongest group of interest. The smaller the society, there will be fewer variations of parties or interests, and the more likely a majority will be found. The strongest party with the most interest will conquer, and the voices of minority will get neglected. Through extended republican system, people are given varied candidates from states members, candidates are not

There are some advantages that a nation with large territories as United States will have for applying extended republican system, compared to that of direct democracy, in controlling the effects of faction. Direct democracy does not suit the character of nations with large territories, since the central government cannot control every citizen‘s aspirations. Majority will be easily found and violates the rights of minor interests. There are fewer characters to find to be people‘s representations.

Extended republic provides greater option of fit characters, and greater probability of

a fit choice; it also guarantees people‘s rights in getting represented, since large areas will have varied interests and this lessens the probability of neglected minor interests.

In legalizing the extended republican system, the Union needed to ratify the proposed Constitution. Federalist paper no. 10 gives true and thorough depiction of how US government should be operated, related to the core issue of human nature in

the form of people‘s varied self-interest.