<P> At the heart of Madison's fears about factions was the unequal distribution of property in society . Ultimately, "the most common and durable source of factions has been the various and unequal distribution of property," Madison argues (Dawson 1863, p. 58). Since some people owned property and others owned none, Madison felt that people would form different factions that pursued different interests . "Those who hold and those who are without property have ever formed distinct interests in society," he notes (Dawson 1863, p. 58). Providing some examples of the distinct interests, Madison identified a landed interest, a manufacturing interest, a mercantile interest, a moneyed interest, and "many lesser interests" (Dawson 1863, p. 58). They all belonged to "different classes" that were "actuated by different sentiments and views," Madison insists (Dawson 1863, p. 58). In other words, Madison argued that the unequal distribution of property led to the creation of different classes that formed different factions and pursued different class interests . </P> <P> Moreover, Madison feared the formation of a certain kind of faction . Recognizing that the country's wealthiest property owners formed a minority and that the country's unpropertied classes formed a majority, Madison feared that the unpropertied classes would come together to form a majority faction that gained control of the government . Against "the minor party," there could emerge "an interested and overbearing majority," Madison warns (Dawson 1863, p. 55 - 56). Specifically, Madison feared that the unpropertied classes would use their majority power to implement a variety of measures that redistributed wealth . There could be "a rage for paper money, for an abolition of debts, for an equal division of property, or for any other improper or wicked project," Madison warns (Dawson 1863, p. 64). In short, Madison feared that a majority faction of the unpropertied classes might emerge to redistribute wealth and property in a way that benefited the majority of the population at the expense of the country's richest and wealthiest people . </P> <P> Like the anti-Federalists who opposed him, Madison was substantially influenced by the work of Montesquieu, though Madison and Montesquieu disagreed on the question addressed in this essay . He also relied heavily on the philosophers of the Scottish Enlightenment, especially David Hume, whose influence is most clear in Madison's discussion of the types of faction and in his argument for an extended republic . </P> <P> Madison first assessed that there are two ways to limit the damage caused by faction: either remove the causes of faction or control its effects . He then describes the two methods to removing the causes of faction: first, destroying liberty, which would work because "liberty is to faction what air is to fire", but it is impossible to perform because liberty is essential to political life . After all, Americans fought for it during the American Revolution . The second option, creating a society homogeneous in opinions and interests, is impracticable . The diversity of the people's ability is what makes them succeed more or less, and inequality of property is a right that the government should protect . Madison particularly emphasizes that economic stratification prevents everyone from sharing the same opinion . Madison concludes that the damage caused by faction can be limited only by controlling its effects . </P>

Federalist paper #10 warns about the formation of political parties as factions