Goverment politics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Goverment politics - Essay Example Since the concept was relatively new, it required quite a hefty effort to convince the states to join the union, most especially that it was realized that factionalism can have a pivotal, destructive effect in breaking apart a republic – which was an unavoidable fear since the consolidation of thirteen new states appeared too ambitious and too good to even last. An advantage of the ratification of a U.S. Constitution lies in its power to effectively manage the typically adverse effects of factions. Factions, according to James Madison in Federalist No. 10, are individuals congregated by common socio-political and/or socio-economic interests. It should be noted that, whether these factions comprise the majority or the minority of the populace or whether factions are actively against each other, is gravely immaterial. Like horses running a race with blinders, these factions become exceedingly passionate in the pursuit of their vested interests that they often overlook public interests. As a result, factions, primarily because of its narrow-minded mechanisms, become disruptive to the public good. There are two typical responses to the adverse effects of faction. The first requires the annihilation of liberty that allows the actual formation and establishment of these factions. Here, the very freedom that allows the propagation of a healthy and diverse political culture is oppressed. In modern history, this is conceptually similar to the installation of a Philippine martial law regime in the 70s to prevent further dissension to the Marcos rule. In this example, the annihilation of liberty was executed through harsh policies like curfew, limited press and the abolition of the Senate. The second response, on the other hand, requires the imposition of beliefs, attitudes and opinions to those who are being governed. While this does not exercise a corporal suppression, similar to the previous example, it takes on a different form – an ideological