James Madison heavily criticizes the meddling of factions into the affairs of the government to the point where they interfere with and hinder the ability of the government to proceed in its daily business. These factions, whether they be a majority or a minority, are a group of individuals drawn together by a common cause orpassion? for which they are empowered to force their will upon the general interests of the community. Thus, Madison proposes that there are only two ways of solving themischiefs of factions,? one being by removing its causes and the other by controlling its effects. There are also two ways of removing the causes of factions, one by destroying the liberty that is essential to its existence and the other by giving every citizen the same passions, and the same interests. However, by destroying the liberty of expression and thought which fuels the fire of such factions, it is destroying the basic right to having freedom and liberty guaranteed by our government, and by abolishing freedom, government seizes to exist because this freedom is essential to political life. The second method is as impractical as the first because by giving every person the same passions and beliefs, soon enough one would see that he or she has a different view on an issue, therefore arguments would ensue, others would agree, and once again factions would form. The second method of solving themischiefs of factions? involves controlling the effects of the factions imposed on the interests of the general community. However, who is to say that the personal bias of one's own interests wouldn't interfere with the judgment of legislature that undoubtedly protects one's own assets and interests. For example, if the effects of legislature proposed by a creditor involves the prompt payment of a debt owed by debtors are controlled, then the conflict of a faction's interests to protect his loaned capital, in this case the creditor, are in conflict with the debtor's inability to pay a debt.
