Similarities Between Madison And Reinhold Niebuhr

American founding father, James Madison, and twentieth century theologian, Reinhold Niebuhr, write about government from two very different perspectives. Madison, a rationalist from the age of enlightenment, had an optimistic view of the possibilities of a democratic government that was formulated during the early days of a young nation. On the other hand, Niebuhr, writing more than a century and a half later, critiques a democratic government that has been in place for generations. Both agree that controlling self-interest is necessary in order to have a functioning, well-organized government and society.
Madison speaks in favor of expanding the role of the federal government because he believes that to do so would improve the quality of