# LVII: The Alleged Tendency of the New Plan to Elevate the Few at the Expense of the Many Considered in Connection with Representation explained — The Federalist Papers

> Chapter companion for The Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton.

## What happens

Madison refutes the charge that the House of Representatives will favor the few over the many, arguing that the Constitution's electoral process—based on broad suffrage, frequent elections, and the shared interests of representatives and constituents—is fundamentally republican and designed to secure rulers of wisdom and virtue while maintaining accountability to the people.

## Themes in this chapter

### Republican Government and Representation

Madison argues that the House of Representatives embodies republican principles by allowing the people to choose rulers of wisdom and virtue, with frequent elections ensuring accountability.

### Human Nature and the Capacity for Self-Government

He relies on human sentiments like gratitude, pride, and ambition to bind representatives to constituents, while acknowledging the need for structural safeguards against degeneracy.

### Control of Faction and Majority Tyranny

Madison counters the fear that the few will dominate the many, emphasizing that the electoral system and shared laws prevent oppressive discrimination.

## Character check-ins

### Publius

Author of the essay, addressing the people of New York.

### James Madison

Writer of this Federalist Paper, defending the House of Representatives against oligarchy accusations.

### Congress

The federal legislative body whose House of Representatives is under scrutiny.

## Key lines

> The aim of every political constitution is, or ought to be, first to obtain for rulers men who possess most wisdom to discern, and most virtue to pursue, the common good of the society; and in the next place, to take the most effectual precautions for keeping them virtuous whilst they continue to hold their public trust.

Every constitution should aim to select leaders with the wisdom to identify and the virtue to pursue the public good, and then to ensure they remain virtuous while in office.

_Madison states the dual purpose of republican government: choosing good rulers and keeping them accountable._

> The electors are to be the great body of the people of the United States. They are to be the same who exercise the right in every state of electing the corresponding branch of the legislature of the state.

The voters for federal representatives are the same broad populace that elects state legislators, ensuring no exclusion based on wealth or status.

_He emphasizes the democratic nature of the electorate, countering claims of elitism._

> Before the sentiments impressed on their minds by the mode of their elevation can be effaced by the exercise of power, they will be compelled to anticipate the moment when their power is to cease, when their exercise of it is to be reviewed, and when they must descend to the level from which they were raised; there forever to remain unless a faithful discharge of their trust shall have established their title to a renewal of it.

Frequent elections force representatives to remember their dependence on the people, as they must soon face review and potential removal if they betray their trust.

_Madison highlights the restraining effect of regular elections on representatives' behavior._

> I will add, as a fifth circumstance in the situation of the House of Representatives, restraining them from oppressive measures, that they can make no law which will not have its full operation on themselves and their friends, as well as on the great mass of the society.

Representatives cannot pass laws that exempt themselves, ensuring their interests align with those of the people.

_He argues that laws apply equally to lawmakers and citizens, preventing tyranny._

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