Government and politics concepts · AP U.S. Government and Politics, AP U.S. History
Federalist No. 51
Federalist No. 51: James Madison's essay explaining how separation of powers and checks and balances protect liberty by making 'ambition counteract ambition.'
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What it means
Madison argued that each branch should have the means and motive to resist encroachments by the others, so that government controls itself. He also described federalism as a 'double security' for rights, since power is divided between the national and state governments as well as among branches.
The essay is the classic statement of the logic behind checks and balances.
Example
Madison's reasoning explains why the Constitution gives the president a veto and Congress the power to override it: each branch can block the other's ambitions.
On the exam
Federalist No. 51 is a required foundational document, used as evidence for arguments about checks, balances and federalism.
Lessons and practice questions
Related terms
- Separation of powersThe division of government's legislative, executive and judicial functions among separate branches.
- Checks and balancesThe constitutional powers each branch has to limit the actions of the other branches.
- Federalist No. 10James Madison's essay arguing that a large republic is the best way to control the effects of factions.