The statement that best explains the differences between the two passages is:
Common Sense argues for the purpose of government, while the Federalist Papers argues for the structure of government.
In "Common Sense," Thomas Paine discusses the necessity and rationale behind government, emphasizing the need for protection and the surrender of property for common welfare. In contrast, James Madison's "Federalist 51" focuses on how to organize the government effectively to maintain the separation of powers and prevent any one department from overstepping its bounds, thus focusing on the structural aspects of government rather than its purpose.