James Madison Wrote, "If Men Were Angels, No Government Would

question 59

Essay

James Madison wrote, "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." Explain what this quote means. Do you believe it to be true? What kind of institutional controls did Madison put into the Constitution as a consequence of his beliefs, and are they effective?

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Definitions:

Commercial Farming

Farming for profit, where the primary aim is high yield production for sale in the market, often involving the use of advanced technologies and large scale operations.

Westward

Referring to the direction or expansion towards the west, often associated with the territorial growth of countries like the United States.

McClure's Magazine

A historic American magazine known for its investigative journalism and role in the early 20th-century muckraking movement.

Muckraking Journalists

Refers to investigative journalists in the early 20th century who exposed societal corruptions, scandals, and injustices, often leading to public outrage and reform.