In this pod, I debate the solutions of faction presented by fictional villain Hank MacLean and founding father James Madison.
A faction, according to Madison in Federalist No. 10
By a faction, I understand a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or a minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adversed to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community.
A faction is a group, and the world is a multiplicity of groups vying for their interests, creating friction and war.
What is the solution to faction?
Hank says,
If the problem with the world is factions endlessly fighting endlessly at war, what is the solution but to get rid of the factions?
Madison says,
There are two methods of curing the mischiefs of faction: the one, by removing its causes; the other, by controlling its effects.
There are again two methods of removing the causes of faction: the one, by destroying the liberty which is essential to its existence; the other, by giving to every citizen the same opinions, the same passions, and the same interests.
MacLean wants to destroy the other factions and create one group; Madison creates a democratic republic that embraces factions by uniting the 50 state republics with one federal republic. The small groups (state republics) check the big group (federal republic). The democratic principle (the people, a big group) checks the republican principle (the governors, a small group).
MacLean sees power as absolute, while Madison sees it as expanding. MacLean seeks to destroy faction, while Madison creates a place for it to flourish. MacLean creates more death and destruction, while Madison creates a compounded democratic republic that allows factions a way to resolve disputes and work together for the public good. MacLean's solution creates stagnation, while Madison’s creates progress.
This is very relevant today because we have two political parties that seek absolute power, leaving us in a state of stagnation. Whether the candidate is Republican or Democrat, they are both telling us the other group will destroy America unless we give them power. They seek to align the different branches of governments (state and federal) to advance party interests and concentrate power on one side of the Democratic Republic. However, power is a sphere that can not be concentrated on one side and still protect liberty. It must be balanced and growing.
Peace and Love,
Jeff Mayhugh
Faction