LAD #5

1. Why are factions so difficult to eliminate?
Factions prove difficult to eliminate because of the nature of a faction. A faction consists of a group of people who share the same passions and interests and therefore create a majority or minority party that is differentiated from the entire governmental party. Henceforth factions can only really be eliminated if we eliminate rights that directly allow us to have these factions. One way would be to eliminate the power to essemble these factions and the other is to elicit conformity of ideas amongst citizens. Neither of these ways would be appropiate because they tug at what is fundamental of the United States government. While factions can create problems within the government, the problem that would be caused by overturning these factions would be far greater. The United States does not allow for liberties as primal as the ability to create factions to be taken away.
2. If factions cannot be removed then how can they be controlled?
While there is no way to entirely remove a faction, there are methods of maintaining them so they do not get out of hand. First of all if a faction is just consisted of a minority of people then that faction will be overrun by the majority anyway. These minority factions are accounted for by the majority vote rule. However when a faction encompasses a majority of citizens then the solution is more difficult. While the democratic system can combat the minority factions, it takes a republic system to counter the majority factions. The system of a republic creates spheres of government which can divide a faction. A republic creates a national arena for problems that are effecting the ciitzines in general, while a local or state government is able to combat the problems that effect those citizens in particular. This system also creates representatives that give a wider perspective to a group of people, rather than direct control by the factions. Factions impede on the government, but through careful maintaince they are able to be controlled.