Questions for Discussion In pledging to "insure domestic tranquillity" in the Preamble to the Constitution, the framers were as concerned about preserving harmony among distinct groups in America as they were about crime. As James Madison argued in the most famous of all The Federalist Papers--Federalist #10--, they feared that without a strong government, "factions" would threaten everyone with either anarchy or tyranny. Are there too many "factions" in America today--groups that appear to be out only for themselves? Which groups do you think of as being "factions"? James Madison, Federalist Papers #10 How about in your own neighborhood or community? What are the major organizations and informal groups that assert themselves? Are these "warring factions" or a does a spirit of cooperation exist among distinct interests? Thomas Jefferson: First Inaugural Address Does any one "faction" appear to control the political process in the neighborhood or community? If so, how? What might be done to insure that all groups and interests in the community gain a fair opportunity to influence elected officials? Populist Party Platform: 1892 Madison suggests that the only way to control factions is to adopt a system of representation that permits elected officials to stand "above the fray" and mediate.What mechanisms exist within your community to "insure domestic tranquillity" among diverse groups? Are they working? If they aren't, how might you encourage them to work together? Or, alternatively, what kind of decision-making process can you develop within your community groups to insure that all groups get a fair opportunity to advance their interests and that no one faction can always dominate the rest? Conflict Resolution Information Source