James Madison view on interest groups?

Answer 1

Madison argued that in an extensive Republic, interest groups (factions as he called them) will be so numerous and varied that no one faction or group of factions will be able to control government and impose their will on a minority.

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In supporting ratification of the US Constitution, he argued that a large and diverse Republic (with Representative government), having secured rights and enlightened leaders, can avoid the "faction of the majority" that would otherwise threaten the rights and welfare of those in the minority.

Answer 2

James Madison's views of factions and Alexis de Tocqueville's observations concerning associations seem to be rooted in the same kind of ideology. Madison believed that although there were dangers associated with factions, they were indeed an inevitable aspect in human society and to eliminate their existence would be eliminating freedom. Tocqueville observed that in no other country in the world had the principles of associations been so widely explored or successfully used. His ideas are rooted in the belief that every American, regardless of conditions, is free to join whatever association they choose. Madison felt it was necessary to limit the influence of factions through a system of checks and balances. He believed that with a balance of power, factions would tend to counteract each other, and no faction would have a dominating influence on the government