James MadisonJames Madison, (1751-1836), Father of the Constitution for the USA, 4th US President

James Madison Quote

“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.”

James MadisonJames Madison
~ James Madison

Federalist No. 52, February 8, 1788

Ratings and Comments


Patrick Henry, Red Hill

In this day of nearly absolute moral and sociocultural inversion, it is characteristically those factions that have historically been the least influential who are exercising ever heightening, truly unholy, influence.

A stark testament to the actuality of the nation's having entered a New Dark Age.

Walter Clark, Fullerton CA

Boy that sure doesn't sound like a Madison quote. I thought his thing was that where there's many factions, the weaker ones band together to limit the strength of the strongest. The quote above... ". . . the stronger [...] oppress the weaker . . . should end this way . . . . "may as truly be said to be A GOVERNMENT."

Walter Clark, Fullerton CA

Here's what he should have said:
"We should construct a society under the forms of which, (that is, with well accepted memes, such that) the strongest faction is always put in check by the temporary alliance of the other factions, where in they can be made querulous by the strongest merely acting like they are fuckin-in-charge."

Mike, Norwalk

Madison focuses on the state of nature as the only true definition of law (as was the originating concept for separating from tyranny). Mans body politics (rules, canons, that which is erroneously called law) may or may not harmonize with the laws of nature and of natures God (natural law). Democracy (the form of which the stronger faction can readily unite - oppressing the weaker), is antithetical to law (natural law) and is a mob vs. government. Anarchy derives from the Greek {anarkhos}: without a ruler. The mobs rule of oppression by the strongest does not harmonize with natural law concerning the noble specie of man - there being no rule of natural law (no specific ruler).

Anarchy is The destruction of government; lawlessness; the absence of all political government; by extension, confusion in government. (Blacks Law Dictionary 1st ed) The absence of all political government; by extension, it signifies confusion in government. (Bouviers Law Dictionary) 1. Absence of any form of political authority. 2. Political disorder and confusion. 3. Absence of any cohesive principle, such as a common standard or purpose. (Words and Phrases) Madison here uses the destruction of natural law government by a legal positivisms lawless mob. The lack of natural law, confusion in the body politic and lack of any cohesive principle in todays despotism, tyranny and oppression, by the occupying statist theocracy infesting this land, can by Madisons here statement, clearly be called anarchy.

Robert, Somewhere in the USA

Is that not the reason for a constitution and a bill of rights...

E Archer, NYC

The 'stronger' can be a minority but with a lot of political clout (i.e. money and people in positions of influence). Just look at the LGBTQ movement -- I mean, sheesh, these are clearly a very small minority of the population, but look at the political power they wield. Of course with a gay president and a transgender first lady (or should we say First Queen), LGBTQ is in everyone's face now. ;-)

Patrick Henry, Red Hill

We are, without question, existing in a day of tyranny of the infinitesimal minority.

Ronw13, Oregon

"The prevading Evil of Democracy is Tyranny of the majority, OR Rather of the Party, Not Always the Majority, that succeeds, By Force, or Fraud, in carrying elections." Lord Acton. with that being said, Our Republic has been Under Siege for a very long time, long enough to forget what Freedom Really IS. Now Ladies and Gentile Men are the times that" try men's souls." When "oppressors are children and rulers are women." Where the conflict begins, Israel, "Thus saith the Lord God; Let it suffice you, O princes of Israel: remove violence and spoil, and execute judgment and justice, Take Away Your Exactions from My People, saith the Lord God. Ye shall have just balances." ( Ezekiel 45:9,10.) Solomon's chariot was paved with love, and in considering his Administration and the execution of justice. Eleventh bk, number of change, I Kings chapter 2. KJB. in applied logic, We the People are His children. The darkness of democracy Israel dwells in, and the Light of Liberty America is Blessed with.

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