Question

federalist no. 10 (guilded reading)
publius (james madison)
november 22, 1787
the same subject continued
among the numerous advantages promised by a well - constructed union, none deserves to be more accurately developed than its tendency to break and control the violence of faction. the friend of popular governments never finds himself so much alarmed for their character and fate as when he contemplates their propensity to this dangerous vice.
what is the most dangerous thing to a united america?
he will not fail, therefore, to set a due value on any plan which, without violating the principles to which he is attached, provides a proper cure for it. the instability, injustice, and confusion introduced into the public councils have, in truth, been the mortal diseases under which popular governments have everywhere perished,...
what has that dangerous thing done to past governments?
the valuable improvements made by the american constitutions on the popular models, both ancient and modern, cannot certainly be too much admired;
how effective does madison think the new american constitution will be?
complaints are everywhere heard from our most considerate and virtuous citizens, equally the friends of public and private faith and of public and personal liberty, that our governments are too unstable, that the public good is disregarded in the conflicts of rival parties, and that measures are too often decided, not according to the rules of justice and the rights of the minor party, but by the superior force of an interested and overbearing majority.
is the current government (the articles of confederation), following the principal of majority rule, minority rights? yes or no
by a faction i understand a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adverse to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community.
what is a faction?

Explanation:

• For the first question, the text mentions "the violence of faction" as a danger.
• For the second, it states that instability, injustice, and confusion (caused by the dangerous thing - faction) led to the perishing of popular governments.
• For the third, Madison admires the American constitutions' improvements (implies they will be effective in dealing with the problem of faction).
• For the fourth, the text says measures are decided by the superior force of an interested and overbearing majority (not following majority rule with respect for minority rights - so No).
• For the fifth, the text directly defines a faction as a number of citizens (majority or minority) united by common passion/interest, adverse to others' rights or community interests.

Answer:

• What is the most dangerous thing to a United America? The violence of faction.
• What has that dangerous thing done to past governments? It has introduced instability, injustice, and confusion which made popular governments perish.
• How effective does Madison think the new American Constitution will be? He admires the improvements (implies it will be effective in dealing with the problem of faction).
• Is the current government (the Articles of Confederation), following the principal of majority rule, minority rights? No.
• What is a faction? A number of citizens (whether majority or minority of the whole), united and actuated by some common impulse of passion or of interest, adverse to the rights of other citizens or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community.