A pure democracy, by which I mean a society consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble and administer the government in person, can admit of no cure for the mischiefs of faction.

James Madison

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More information about this quote

Topic

Democracy Political theory Politics

Author

James Madison

Source

Federalist 10

Medium

Essay

Genre

Political literature

Language

English

Time

1787 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. 10: The Same Subject Continued: The Union as a Safeguard Against Domestic Faction and Insurrection." Daily Advertiser, 22 Nov. 1787.

Current Citation

Madison, James. "No. 10: An extensive republic a remedy for mischiefs of faction.--Madison." The Federalist: A Commentary on the Constitution of the United States, edited by Robert Scigliano. The Modern Library, 2001.

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A quote by James Madison about democracy: “A pure democracy, by which I mean a society consisting of a small number…”
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A quote by James Madison about democracy: “A pure democracy, by which I mean a society consisting of a small number…”
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A quote by James Madison about democracy: “A pure democracy, by which I mean a society consisting of a small number…”
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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

The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, selfappointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.

James Madison

Federalist 47

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Read Federalist No. 47 at the Library of Congress website
More information about this quote
Topic
Tyranny Political theory Politics

Author

James Madison
Source
Federalist 47 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. 47: The Particular Structure of the New Government and the Distribution of Power Among Its Different Parts." New York Packet, 1 Feb. 1788.

Current Citation

Madison, James. "No. 47: Complete separation of powers not required.--Madison." The Federalist: A Commentary on the Constitution of the United States, edited by Robert Scigliano. The Modern Library, 2001.

Another quote from the 1780s

These are times in which a genius would wish to live. It is not in the still calm of life, or the repose of a pacific station, that great characters are formed.... Great necessities call out great virtues.

Abigail Adams

Letter to John Adams, 1780

Read this letter at the National Archives website
More information about this quote
Topic
Interesting times Benefits of adversity

Author

Abigail Adams
Source
Letter to John Adams, 1780 Letters of Abigail Adams
Medium
Letter
Language
English
Time
1780 1780s 18th century
Authentication Score 3
Original Citation

Adams, Abigail. Letter to John Quincy Adams. 12 Jan. 1780.

Current Citation

Adams, Abigail. Quoted in John Adams, written by David McCullough. Simon and Schuster, 2001.

Another quote about Democracy

Parties must ever exist in a free country.

On Conciliation with America

More information about this quote
Topic
Political parties Partisan politics Politics Democracy
Speaker
Edmund Burke
Source
On Conciliation with America
Medium
Speech
Genre
Political speech
Language
English
Time
1775 1770s 18th century
Era
American Revolutionary Period
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Burke, Edmund. "Speech on Conciliation with America." House of Commons. 22 Mar. 1775, Palace of Westminster, Westminster, London, England, UK.

Current Citation

Burke, Edmund. "Speech on Conciliation with the Colonies." The Portable Edmund Burke, edited by Isaac Kramnick. Penguin, 2009.