James Madison's 'Dissatisfaction of the People' in Modern Times

During the early constitution debates, numerous topics were placed on the debate table as the men who crafted that historic document hammered out one of the most important and influential pieces of government ever created. A foundation philosophical thought was the consideration of the general dissatisfaction of the people and how that would impact laws and government in the future.

Madison's own papers on this topic show that he was not in agreement with Thomas Jefferson, who argued that laws would most likely be changed every 15 to 20 years. Madison's view was much different. He believed that unless the majority was dissatisfied with a law or governmental decision, that decision was to stay in effect until right legislated out of the system.

This view should not come as a surprise to any modern American. A basis knowledge of the causes of the Revolutionary War was over the dissatisfaction of the colonists lack of representation to England and the King. This dissatisfaction increase as they were taxed and never given a voice either in dissent or to advocate specific English policies. Madison stoutly believed that every citizen should be able to constructively dissent to the government's decisions and policies especially if they were being taxed. Madison argued that if a significant majority were dissatisfied with the direction of the government, they could express that dissatisfaction through their right to vote.

This fundamental belief of James Madison is played out in every election we have in modern times. Congressional leaders at state and federal levels lose their office when the majority find themselves dissatisfied with their performance. Every four years, the United States takes a popular pulse check on the satisfaction of the people of their president. If they are not happy, their dissatisfaction is exercised as they vote a new person into office. It seems that Madison's idea of the dissatisfaction of the people fits for modern times.