
What's Left of Philosophy 121 | The Federalist Papers
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Oct 2, 2025 Dive into the philosophical underpinnings of the Federalist Papers, where the tension between republican ideals and democratic forces takes center stage. Explore why past republics faltered and how the Constitution aims to suppress factionalism. Delve into the implications of the three-fifths compromise and how size influences political stability. Reflect on the Federalists' skepticism toward direct democracy and the enduring costs that come with constitutional durability. Can a more democratic approach survive within such a framework? Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation!
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Durability Over Romantic Democracy
- The Federalist Papers aim to show the Constitution secures liberty while ensuring durability against internal collapse.
- Madison and Hamilton focus on preventing republics' rapid swings between tyranny and anarchy through institutional design.
Factions Are Structural, Not Accidental
- Madison treats faction as inevitable due to unequal faculties and property differences among people.
- He argues a large republic and representative institutions dilute and check factional power.
Three-Fifths Reveals Legal Contradiction
- The Three-Fifths compromise treated enslaved people as part-person, part-property for representation purposes.
- Madison noted slavery's legal basis and suggested freed people would deserve representation.



