James Madison, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, had a nuanced view of human nature. In his writings, particularly in the Federalist Papers, he suggested that humans are inherently self-interested and motivated by personal gain. This understanding of human nature led him to advocate for a system of government that would account for these tendencies.
Madison believed that because individuals are driven by their own interests, a government that concentrated power in the hands of a few could be dangerous. To counteract this, he argued for a system of checks and balances, where power would be divided among different branches of government and between federal and state levels. He also recognized the potential for factions, or groups pursuing their own interests, to disrupt the common good, and thus emphasized the need for a large republic in which diverse interests would balance each other out.
In summary, Madison viewed human nature as inherently self-interested, which necessitated a careful structuring of government to protect against tyranny and ensure the protection of liberty and justice.