Assignment 3

“The latent causes of faction are thus sown in the nature of man, and we see them everywhere brought into different degrees of activity, according to the different circumstances of civil society. A zeal for different opinions concerning religion, concerning government, and many other points, as well of speculation and practice; an attachment to different leaders ambitiously contending for pre-eminence and power; or to persons of other descriptions whose fortunes have been interesting to the human passions, have, in turn, divided mankind into parties, inflamed them with mutual animosity, and rendered them much more disposed to vex and oppress each other than to cooperate for their common good.”

The passage explains that men are going to naturally have interest, special interest as said. President Madison explained that it can reach any level of society and the best defense against it is diversity. America is an enormous country that has attracted people from all parts of the world. These people have different background, belief, race and so on, but they are allowed to fight for the right to protect their community. This dynamic in the government has evolved since his time and the battle to maintain a fair society can be difficult because of the power of money. Many Americans have been complaining of the diminishing middle class in the country and that this is allowing the rich 1% to control everybody else.

I chose this passage because of how important it is to us. As I said before, millions traveled to America for freedom and to be able to see their fellow countrymen live in the same spirit. I believe to continue progression and protect the core values of this nation, we need to have a strong middle class that can unite and maintain the balance of power and interest.