Why does Thomas Madden argue against abolishing the US Senate?

Thomas Madden said the framers created the Senate to check what they called the tyranny of the people. Drawing on Athens and on failed American state republics under the Articles of Confederation, they feared an unchecked popular assembly would vote itself all power and back a demagogue. He said he recently made this case in a Wall Street Journal piece, arguing that without the Senate the people would legislate whatever they want, wise or not.

• Madden said the framers worried equally about a tyrant executive, so they made the president one accountable person who can be impeached.
• James Wilson opposed a shared presidency because no one would carry the blame, Madden said.
• Madden credits Montesquieu with the idea of an independent judiciary, which ancient republics never had.

Source: our own transcription of the episode. The full conversation is on The Shawn Ryan Show (2026-11-02). Read the whole episode summary →

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