Although there would be abundant factions in a large nation, they would be feeble compared to those in small democracies. Madison's paper fifty-one is also an example of his attempts to assure the people that their liberty would remain intact under a primary government. .
Federalist Paper number fifty-one stresses that there is a need for checks and balances between the diverse departments of the government: executive, legislative, and judicial. Madison made it clear that the members of one department should be independent from those of the others. He feels that no one branch should have excessive power when it comes to the process of choosing the affiliates of the other two branches. Madison states, "If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary" (Jacobson, 566). This statement concludes that Madison recognized the imperfection of man. Every man, including those in power need to be supervised otherwise a government would not be essential in the first place. A truly sufficient government should be able to control its citizens as well as itself. Dividing powers between the different branches allows the government to have control over itself. Madison ends his paper with the idea that a larger society is more likely to prosper by self-government. Madison observes, "In the extended republic of the United States, and among the great variety of interests, parties, and sects which it embraces, a coalition of a majority of the whole society could seldom take place on any other principles than those of justice and the general good - (Jacobson, 568). He states that self-government is not only feasible in the United States, it is functional. .
Madison knew that contradictions in beliefs between individuals were innate, and therefore factions were inevitable. He wanted to stray from the concept of one major group controlling the masses; however he also feared the contrary, a democracy, and the dictatorship of the majority that is possible.
