Excerpt from Federalist, No. 51

In order to lay a due foundation for that separate and distinct exercise of the different powers of government, which to a certain extent is admitted on all hands to be essential to the preservation of liberty, it is evident that each department should have a will of its own; and consequently should be so constituted that the members of each should have as little agency as possible in the appointment of the members of the others. . . . It is equally evident, that the members of each department should be as little dependent as possible on those of the others, for the emoluments annexed to their offices.



What is Madison’s primary motivation in the separation of powers in the national government? Do the provisions outlined in the Constitution line up with Madison’s reasoning? Why or why not? Your response should be one paragraph in length.