Question

Read the quote from James Madison.

If men were angels, no government would be necessary. . . . In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place, oblige it to control itself.

The main idea that Madison addresses in this passage is why the US government

is needed.
must be weak.
is not needed.
must be strong.

Answer 1

is needed.

Madison begins "If men were angels, no government would be necessary," then explains the problem of creating a government run by humans: it must have enough power to govern yet be constrained. The passage's main point is that government is necessary because people are not perfect.