Federalist #51 Analysis 
Writing Assignment #1
1. What does Madison mean when he states, “each department should have a will of its own”?
When Madison states, “each department should have a will of its own” he is referring to the idea that each branch of government must have its own set responsibilities within the government. Therefore the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government must maintain separation from each other and must not refer to one another when carrying out responsibilities. They each must maintain loyalty to their separate ideas, not letting either of the other too branches influence their decision-making.
2. Why is this arrangement less important for the judicial branch of government?
It is far less important for the judicial branch to maintain a separate “will” due to the fact that their sole responsibility is to approve or decline, in other words justify, the decisions laid before them by the latter two branches of government. It is the responsibility of the judicial branch to determine if the ideas put forth by the other two branches are maintaining compliance with the U.S. Constitution. Since federal judges are appointed for life, the president who has appointed them or the senators whose consent the president will seek will not influence their decision-making.
3. What is the key solution to the concentration of powers in the hands of a single branch of government?
The key solution to avoid the concentration of power in the hands of a single branch of government is to ensure that each branch remains independent from each other. The separation of powers within the government is designed to counter the opposing segments ambition. Madison makes this clear when he states, “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.”
4. By the end of the third paragraph, Madison gives an explanation as to why abuse of power is inevitable. What is that explanation?
Madison attributes the inevitable abuse of power to human nature. We may not like to admit
1. What does Madison mean when he states, “each department should have a will of its own”?
When Madison states, “each department should have a will of its own” he is referring to the idea that each branch of government must have its own set responsibilities within the government. Therefore the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government must maintain separation from each other and must not refer to one another when carrying out responsibilities. They each must maintain loyalty to their separate ideas, not letting either of the other too branches influence their decision-making.
2. Why is this arrangement less important for the judicial branch of government?
It is far less important for the judicial branch to maintain a separate “will” due to the fact that their sole responsibility is to approve or decline, in other words justify, the decisions laid before them by the latter two branches of government. It is the responsibility of the judicial branch to determine if the ideas put forth by the other two branches are maintaining compliance with the U.S. Constitution. Since federal judges are appointed for life, the president who has appointed them or the senators whose consent the president will seek will not influence their decision-making.
3. What is the key solution to the concentration of powers in the hands of a single branch of government?
The key solution to avoid the concentration of power in the hands of a single branch of government is to ensure that each branch remains independent from each other. The separation of powers within the government is designed to counter the opposing segments ambition. Madison makes this clear when he states, “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.”
4. By the end of the third paragraph, Madison gives an explanation as to why abuse of power is inevitable. What is that explanation?
Madison attributes the inevitable abuse of power to human nature. We may not like to admit