Cato’s arguments against instituting a republican form of government

  1. What are Cato’s arguments against instituting a republican form of government? How does Madison respond in Federalist Papers #39 and #51?
  2. Compare Mason’s criticism of the proposed system of the three branches of government with Madison’s defense of it in Federalist #51. Why is Mason so concerned? How does Madison explain the purpose of structuring it that way? Which essay is more convincing?
  3. George Mason is a Virginia planter, and Cato is (likely) George Clinton, the Governor of New York. What concerns do they share about the new constitution? How do their protests differ?

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