Mike Smith:
James Madison was taught a Christian worldview, that the nature of man is susceptible to passion over reason. In his writings, Madison explored how to restrain these human passions within the framework of a representative government.

His Federalist Paper 10 is perhaps the most widely known of his writings. Here he discusses the previous problems of democratic or representative government.

He described how small republics in Europe had failed because a majority of the population denied a minority of the people their rights. This led to tyranny, which was unacceptable to America’s founding fathers.

How could this fledgling nation develop the democratic ideal of majority rule but protect minority rights?

Madison’s answer was to separate the powers of government at the federal level and to reserve the powers not delegated to the federal government to the states. This division of power would keep one group from easily controlling the whole government.

Madison also believed that the physical size of the new country would weaken factions. Trying to organize such a diverse country in a tyrannical conspiracy would be almost impossible.

Despite some serious bumps along the way, America has remained free. Madison’s homeschool education served him and his country well. And until next time, I’m Mike Smith.