Question

What is Madison’s point of view for the “primary control on government”

Answer 1

Answer: A dependence on the people.

Madison stated that: "a dependence on the people is, no doubt, the primary control on government." This dependence on the people is enforced through the accountability that a representative democracy demands. However, he was aware that the people cannot always be trusted to make good decisions. Therefore, "auxiliary methods" needed to be introduced in order to control the government. These methods are now called "checks and balances," and includes the processes that ensure that power is not abused by one branch of government.

Answer 2

In the Federalist Paper #51, James Madison devoted his attention to the balance of power among the different branches of government, additionally, each branch of government is dependent on the people, who are the source of the legitimate authority and thus "the primary control on the government".

He emphasized that the best form of government is the one that takes into account the will of the people.