Appointments Quote by James Madison
“The genius of Republican liberty, seems to demand on one side, not only that all power should be derived from the people; but, that those entrusted with it should be kept in dependence on the people, by a short duration of their appointments; and, that, even during this short period, the trust should be placed not in a few, but in a number of hands.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Federalist No. 10, 1787
Republican liberty requires power to come from the people and to be limited in time, distributed among many officials to prevent tyranny.
In simple terms: Power must be from and shared.
Key Takeaway
Limit terms, spread authority.
Themes
democracy
checks and balances
republicanism
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- elections
- legislative design
- public oversight
- constitutional reform
Key Concepts
political theory
separation of powers
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance accountability with effective governance?
- What mechanisms ensure diverse representation?
A Different Perspective
Short terms may reduce expertise and continuity.
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![“It is certain that every class is interested in [educational] establishments which give to the human mind its highest improvements, and to every Country its truest and most durable celebrity.” quote by James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/964/james-madison-373_certain_it-is-certain-that-every-class-is-intere_22217.jpg)
![“I worry about the lack of experience that Rex Tillerson has had on the diplomatic front and, frankly, I think that's true for many of the appointments to [Donald] Trump's cabinet.” quote by Claire McCaskill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c4e/claire-mccaskill-5688_appointments_i-worry-about-the-lack-of-experience-tha_143996.jpg)
