US DEMOCRACY

The American Democracy

The American Democracy

Introduction

James Madison was a United States congressman and a political philosopher. James Madison was also the 4th President of the United States of America from 1809 to 1817. Many regard Madison as the “Father of the United States Constitution”. Madison's most influential work was the Bill of Rights. Madison's view was that rights of an individual are the basis of a success. He advocated providing United States citizens by working on the Bill of Rights in collaboration with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay. Madison believed that by distributing power and authority, the general public can receive their lawful rights. Madison believed it was the governments' responsibility to protect its citizens from any of oppression or tyranny, or anything that violates the primary rights of human beings (Brookhiser, 2011).

At age 18, James debated whether to continue his education by enrolling at the College of William and Mary. Many planters' sons went to school there, but James disliked both the unhealthy climate in Williamsburg and the reputation the college had for dissolute and drunken professors. As a result, in 1769 he entered the College of New Jersey (later renamed Princeton).

In April 1776, just weeks before America declared its independence; Madison won election to the Virginia Convention. Knowing this, Madison was able to formally establish a government outside British control. He served on a committee to compose a declaration of rights but exerted little influence until, in a debate over religious freedom, he convinced his colleagues to accept language that made possible the separation of church and state.

Beginning in November 1777, Madison served on the governor's council. When Thomas Jefferson succeeded Patrick Henry as governor in 1779, Madison developed a close friendship with the new executive. Although Jefferson was Madison's senior by several years, they had earlier exchanged ideas and now found themselves in unison on several topics, particularly religious freedom.

In December 1779, Madison accepted appointment to the Continental Congress and became its youngest delegate. He arrived in Philadelphia with his slave servant the following March. Here, he developed more thoroughly his position on national issues, and despite an innate shyness he quickly earned the respect for his sharp mind. A nationalist, he favored a vibrant central government supported by the power to tax. Otherwise, he said, the government would be feeble, the states would be divided by factions, and foreign aid would "be called in by first the weaker [and] then the stronger side, and finally both be made subservient to the wars and politics of Europe." An internationalist, he firmly supported an alliance with France and wanted America to exert its influence on European affairs.

When the new nation's governing document, the Articles of Confederation, proved inadequate, Madison supported change and was among the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention that convened at Philadelphia in May 1787. There, he expressed his nationalist views and insisted the government needed effective taxing power. Madison emerged as the most important figure in writing the Constitution; he ...