Madison on political parties

[Paul Finkelman]

Of course he could not have in mind "the party system soon to be
established" cause he could not see into the future.  But, he clearly
objected to the idea of parties (as did most of the Founders) until they
themselves established them.

If you disagree with the prevailing wisdom of historians and political
scientists that Madison was in fact opposed to political parties then
you should provide some evidence for your belief.

Since you ask the list participants if there are other examples (beyond
Fred. 10), I would wonder if you have any evidence to support your
argument?

I would trust Ralph Ketcham's biography of Madison on this, somewhat
old, but Ralph is a fine political historian trained  in history and
political science and worked on the Madison papers.  


Paul Finkelman


Paul Finkelman
President William McKinley Distinguished Professor of Law
     and Public Policy
Albany Law School
80 New Scotland Avenue
Albany, New York   12208-3494

518-445-3386 
pfink at albanylaw.edu
>>> MARK STEIN <markstein at prodigy.net> 09/10/06 3:14 PM >>>

In referring to "parties" and "factions" in Federalist No. 10, Madison
did not necessarily have in mind the party system soon to be established
in America.  Still, can one infer from Federalist 10 that Madison was
more sympathetic to political parties than the other Founders (see,
e.g., Washington's Farewell Address)?  Are there other statements by
Madison on parties during the founding period, before he became
Jefferson's underboss in the Republican party?

Federalist 10 is sometimes interpreted to mean that Madison SHARED the
distaste of the other civic republican founders for political parties. 
I disagree.  There is a big difference between saying parties are a
problem, so we should have none and saying parties are a problem, so we
should have many.  Even the condemnation of faction that begins
Federalist 10 might be seen as a perfunctory bow to civic republican
orthodoxies, though perhaps that is a too-modern reading. 


Mark