$ecular#eckler
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But it is not possible to give to each department an equal power of self-defense. In republican government, the legislative authority necessarily predominates. The remedy for this inconveniency is to divide the legislature into different branches; and to render them, by different modes of election and different principles of action, as little connected with each other as the nature of their common functions and their common dependence on the society will admit. It may even be necessary to guard against dangerous encroachments by still further precautions. As the weight of the legislative authority requires that it should be thus divided, the weakness of the executive may require, on the other hand, that it should be fortified.

Federalist No. 51, James Madison, checks and balances, separation of powers, U.S. Constitution, political theory, American government, Federalist Papers
Federalist 51 summary: Federalist 51 explains why James Madison believed the constitutional checks and balances put in place would help create a limited government
