“Justice is the end of government. It is the end of civil society. It ever has been and ever will be pursued until it be obtained, or until liberty be lost in the pursuit. In a society under the forms of which the stronger faction can readily unite and oppress the weaker, anarchy may as truly be said to reign as in a state of nature, where the weaker individual is not secured against the violence of the stronger; and as, in the latter state, even the stronger individuals are prompted, by the uncertainty of their condition, to submit to a government which may protect the weak as well as themselves; so, in the former state, will the more powerful factions or parties be gradually induced, by a like motive, to wish for a government which will protect all parties, the weaker as well as the more powerful.”
2007-10-15 19:45:27 · 5 answers · asked by Manuel D 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Civic Participation
Government must protect the weak and not to serve the interests of the rich.
2007-10-15 20:25:54 · answer #1 · answered by FRAGINAL, JTM 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
This is about the tyranny of the majority, regardless of whether it is the rich or poor. Madison was against a powerful government. Justice was when each citizen was treated the same by the government and entitled to the same rights.
Madison endorsed a philosophy that the government while being charged to protect the weak from the strong he also cautions against a government that grows so strong that the strong is threatened by the government thus the strong seek to control the government.
The US government has grown large and powerful and thus the powerful seek to control it. If you limit the power of government you take away the motive of those seeking to control it.
2007-10-16 04:57:58 · answer #2 · answered by Seano 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means that justice and the protection of the weak are the object (the end) of government. That if governments do not protect everyone equally, then the strong will overcome the weak, and people will be ruled by the toughest, rather than the most just.
2007-10-15 19:58:43 · answer #3 · answered by roscoedeadbeat 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I believe Madison meant Justice is acheived when all people weak and powerful have equal protection under the law.
2007-10-18 22:36:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Madison thought government was a necessary evil. With true justice, the need for government would cease to exist.
Good luck on your report.
2007-10-16 13:20:25 · answer #5 · answered by the1_edge 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋