The Federalist Papers, No. 10 by James Madison: The Federalist Papers, No. 10 by James Madison, List 1

Following the Constitutional Convention in 1787, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay published a series of essays supporting the new Constitution. Together these essays are called The Federalist Papers. Federalist No. 10 by Madison is considered one of the most important political documents in U.S. history. Madison discusses political factions, which in today's language might be called political parties. The essay was first published in newspapers under the pen name "Publius." Read the full text here.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. faction
    a clique that seeks power usually through intrigue
    The Same Subject Continued
    (The Union as a Safeguard Against Domestic Faction and Insurrection)
    Madison for the Independent Journal.
  2. insurrection
    organized opposition to authority
    The Same Subject Continued
    (The Union as a Safeguard Against Domestic Faction and Insurrection)
    Madison for the Independent Journal.
  3. contemplate
    reflect deeply on a subject
    The friend of popular governments never finds himself so much alarmed for their character and fate, as when he contemplates their propensity to this dangerous vice.
  4. propensity
    a natural inclination
    The friend of popular governments never finds himself so much alarmed for their character and fate, as when he contemplates their propensity to this dangerous vice.
  5. vice
    a specific form of evildoing
    The friend of popular governments never finds himself so much alarmed for their character and fate, as when he contemplates their propensity to this dangerous vice.
  6. adversary
    someone who offers opposition
    The instability, injustice, and confusion introduced into the public councils, have, in truth, been the mortal diseases under which popular governments have everywhere perished; as they continue to be the favorite and fruitful topics from which the adversaries to liberty derive their most specious declamations.
  7. specious
    plausible but false
    The instability, injustice, and confusion introduced into the public councils, have, in truth, been the mortal diseases under which popular governments have everywhere perished; as they continue to be the favorite and fruitful topics from which the adversaries to liberty derive their most specious declamations.
  8. partiality
    a predisposition to like something
    The valuable improvements made by the American constitutions on the popular models, both ancient and modern, cannot certainly be too much admired; but it would be an unwarrantable partiality, to contend that they have as effectually obviated the danger on this side, as was wished and expected.
  9. contend
    maintain or assert
    The valuable improvements made by the American constitutions on the popular models, both ancient and modern, cannot certainly be too much admired; but it would be an unwarrantable partiality, to contend that they have as effectually obviated the danger on this side, as was wished and expected.
  10. obviate
    prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
    The valuable improvements made by the American constitutions on the popular models, both ancient and modern, cannot certainly be too much admired; but it would be an unwarrantable partiality, to contend that they have as effectually obviated the danger on this side, as was wished and expected.
  11. virtuous
    morally excellent
    Complaints are everywhere heard from our most considerate and virtuous citizens, equally the friends of public and private faith, and of public and personal liberty, that our governments are too unstable, that the public good is disregarded in the conflicts of rival parties, and that measures are too often decided, not according to the rules of justice and the rights of the minor party, but by the superior force of an interested and overbearing majority.
  12. overbearing
    having or showing arrogant superiority
    Complaints are everywhere heard from our most considerate and virtuous citizens, equally the friends of public and private faith, and of public and personal liberty, that our governments are too unstable, that the public good is disregarded in the conflicts of rival parties, and that measures are too often decided, not according to the rules of justice and the rights of the minor party, but by the superior force of an interested and overbearing majority.
  13. candid
    openly straightforward and direct without secretiveness
    It will be found, indeed, on a candid review of our situation, that some of the distresses under which we labor have been erroneously charged on the operation of our governments; but it will be found, at the same time, that other causes will not alone account for many of our heaviest misfortunes; and, particularly, for that prevailing and increasing distrust of public engagements, and alarm for private rights, which are echoed from one end of the continent to the other.
  14. factious
    dissenting with the majority opinion
    These must be chiefly, if not wholly, effects of the unsteadiness and injustice with which a factious spirit has tainted our public administrations.
  15. actuate
    give an incentive for doing something
    By a faction, I understand a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or a minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adversed to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community.
Created on Fri May 30 13:10:26 EDT 2025

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