The Paradox

Madison spoke of a "paradox" in Federalist 51, that describes the problem of creating a functional government that can control those that are governed but also the government itself. "Men are not angels" and they can get power hungry. Over time one person (or persons) can become too powerful, and the government is no longer "For the people, by the people." Madison believes though that the constitution resolves this difficulty through auxiliary precautions. Impeachment gives the ability and right to the people to remove an unjust leader. Term limits help keep a leader in check and not allowed to serve in position for more than an allotted amount of time. The voting process also helps with the decisions made. The people then get to choose who represents them and how they will be governed. In Federalist 51, it talks about the Division and Separation of power which helps create and equal amount of power and the checks and balances to keep each other in line. The Division of power splits the rights and governing between the federal power and the state power. The Separation of power keeps branches on both federal and state levels creating, enforcing and judging the law. Not only can one branch of the federal check the others, but the states can check the central government. Although our government is not perfect, no one can be, the paradox is cured by our constitution.