It is ESSENTIAL to such a government that it be derived from the great body of the society, not from an inconsiderable proportion, or a favored class of it; otherwise a handful of tyrannical nobles, exercising their oppressions by a delegation of their powers, might aspire to the rank of republicans, and claim for their government the honorable title of republic.

James Madison

Federalist 39

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More information about this quote

Topic

Democratic theory Democracy Political theory Politics

Author

James Madison

Source

Federalist 39 The Federalist Papers

Medium

Essay

Genre

Political literature

Language

English

Time

1788 1780s 18th century

Era

American Revolutionary Period

Occupation

Founding Father American President National leader Politician

From

United States

Authentication Score 2

Original Citation

Madison, James [published as Publius]. "Federalist No. 39: The Conformity of the Plan to Republican Principles." Independent Journal, 16 Jan. 1788.

Current Citation

Madison, James. "No. 39: Constitution is strictly republican; is both federal and national.--Madison." The Federalist: A Commentary on the Constitution of the United States, edited by Robert Scigliano. The Modern Library, 2001.

Illustrated Quote

A quote by James Madison about democratic theory: “It is ESSENTIAL to such a government that it be derived from the great…”
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A quote by James Madison about democratic theory: “It is ESSENTIAL to such a government that it be derived from the great…”
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A quote by James Madison about democratic theory: “It is ESSENTIAL to such a government that it be derived from the great…”
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Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote by James Madison

Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.

James Madison

Federalist 51

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Read Federalist No. 51 at the Library of Congress website
More information about this quote
Topic
Checks and balances Separation of powers Political theory Politics

Author

James Madison
Source
Federalist 51 The Federalist Papers
Medium
Essay
Genre
Political literature
Language
English
Time
1788 1780s 18th century
Era
American Revolutionary Period
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Madison, James [published as Publius]. "Federalist No. 51, The Structure of the Government Must Furnish the Proper Checks and Balances Between the Different Departments." New York Packet, 8 Feb. 1788.

Current Citation

Madison, James. "No. 51: How to maintain: make the parts check each other. Also, a federal system divides power further.--Madison (or Hamilton)." The Federalist: A Commentary on the Constitution of the United States, edited by Robert Scigliano. The Modern Library, 2001.

Another quote from the 1780s

We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare; and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Constitution of the United States

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Read the Constitution of the United States at the National Archives website
More information about this quote
Topic
Forming a government American politics
Source
Constitution of the United States
Genre
Political literature
Language
English
Time
1787 1780s 18th century
Authentication Score 3
Original Citation

The United States Constitution. Preamble.

Current Citation

"The Constitution of the United States." The Constitution of the United States and The Declaration of Independence. Racehorse, 2016, preamble.

Another quote about Democracy

In a racially divided society majority rule is not a reliable instrument of democracy.

Lani Guinier

More information about this quote
Topic
Democratic theory Democracy

Author

Lani Guinier
Language
English
Time
1992 1990s 20th century
Authentication Score 3
Citation

Guinier, Lani. "Second Proms and Second Primaries." Boston Review, 1 Sept. 1992.