James Madison's Constitutionalism

Greg Weiner discusses James Madison's commitment to republicanism, majority rule, and the importance of balancing it with the mechanism of time. Madison's views on reason, will, and passion in politics are explored, as well as his concerns about nullification and technological innovation. The chapter also examines Madison's contrasting views with Woodrow Wilson on the role of the presidency. James Madison's understanding of the Bill of Rights, its relationship to majority rule and the federal judiciary is analyzed.