Why Does the American Form of Government Work?

the Federalist Essays No. 10 and No. 51

In the Federalist Essays No. 10 discusses several flaws and concepts the American government depends on. Specifically, it is pointed out that the amount of people invested in political affairs makes all of the difference whether a free democratic government succeeds or becomes a monarchy once more. "The smaller the society, the fewer probably will be the distinct parties and interests composing it; the fewer the distinct parties and interests, the more frequently will a majority be found of the same party; and the smaller the number of individuals composing a majority, and the smaller the compass within which they are placed, the more easily will they concert and execute their plans of oppression". In this excerpt, it is argued that a minimal society would more likely conform to one idea leaving less room for competition and various ideas and debates, essentially becoming a monarchical power. "Extend the sphere, and you take in a greater variety of parties and interests; you make it less probable that a majority of the whole will have a common motive to invade the rights of other citizens; or if such a common motive exists, it will be more difficult for all who feel it to discover their own strength, and to act in unison with each other". However, it is being said that a larger population would lead to more split arguments and ideas adding value and parties to the ideal form of American government.  

The Federal Essays No. 51 addresses the importance of separate branches of the government. "In order to lay a due foundation for that separate and distinct exercise of the different powers of government, which to a certain extent is admitted on all hands to be essential to the preservation of liberty, it is evident that each department should have a will of its own; and consequently should be so constituted that the members of each should have as little agency as possible in the appointment of the members of the others". In this passage it is being explained that the separate sections and leadership of the American government are the reason for the success of the government. The individual sections are just that; Individual. Each party has its own opinions and ideas, splitting and arguing, putting all views and ideas out on the table, and the majority vote is the deciding action. "A dependence on the people is, no doubt, the primary control on the government; but experience has taught mankind the necessity of auxiliary precautions. This policy of supplying, by opposite and rival interests, the defect of better motives, might be traced through the whole system of human affairs, private as well as public. We see it particularly displayed in all the subordinate distributions of power, where the constant aim is to divide and arrange the several offices in such a manner as that each may be a check on the other that the private interest of every individual may be a sentinel over the public rights".  This statement simply explains the government's reliance on the people and the government's need to have the people involved and invested in this groundbreaking political setup in order for it to function properly. Another important concept pointed out in this passage is the idea of checks and balances or the system where each branch of the government has some power over the other two which in turn leads to a mutual control over each of the sectors of government. The purpose of this system is to keep every powerful group in check so that a dictatorship does not form.