The Madisonian Model as it Relates to American Government

The Madisonian model of government proposed a system which sought to prevent a faction, particulary the majority, from oppressing another faction through the separation of powers and a system of checks and balances. James Madison's three goals were to limit majority control, separate powers, and establish checks and balances. By placing only one element of government, the House of Representatives, within control of the people, he ensured that the majority would not be able to take charge of the government. Separation of powers can be observed in the three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial. Each of the three has a distinct set of powers which allow them to check the other branches.



Madison's model is the basis for America's modern government. Today, however, majority control is not as limited. There is a larger voting pool than in the 1700s, and the ratification of the 17th Amendment now allows for the direct election of senators, increasing the direct control of the majority. Largely, however, the U.S. Constitution remains the same. It divides government into the three branches and places numerous checks and balances on each power.

The Madisonian model is highly effective at neutralizing any sort of tyrannical move by any single governmental power. At the same time, however, it can also make the passage of legislation a very slow process. Because any one branch of government holds the power to check another, diverging interests can grind political proceedings to a virtual halt. In the end, however, this model has done its job: preventing any single faction from oppressing another. Slow and steady wins the race.