Unit 2B: Federalist 70

The author of federalist 70

Alexander Hamilton

The reason why the Federalist papers were made

was one of the papers used to convince Americans, specifically New York on why the Constitution should be ratified

His Argument regarding the length of terms of the President

Hamilton believes that presidents should serve for life or by good behavior

Why the president should serve for life

Because re-election would distract them from actully governing. And make it harder to achieve policy goals

Hamiltons rejected idea

A president serving for life

Hamilton's Accepted idea of the President

unitary executive

Unitary executive origin

was influenced by enlightenment theorists like Montesquieu, who believed that the Executive should have a "vigor".

The quality the President should have

Energy

Federalist 70's position on a pluralist executive?

One strong energetic executive is better than a plural one.

The reason for the Federalist 70's argument for a single executive?

A single executive can make faster decisions.

What character trait does Federalist 70 associate with a good government?

A strong energetic executive.

In what way the President is important

The executive is important, regarding foreign conversions and is important for it also to be strong, as a weak executive means a weak and bad government.

1. A weak executive means...
2. "A feeble executive implies
3. "A feeble execution is but another phrase for

1. a weak and bad government.
2. a feeble execution of the government."
3.for a bad execution;"

The leading character in the definition of a good government.

Energy of the executive

The ingredients that contribute to the energy in the executive

unity, duration, adequate provision and competent powers

How the president creates a safe republic

are created by responsibility and dependance on the people

How does federalist 70 support the need of energy of the P and the need to create a safe republic

By stating that successful politicians and statesmen agree to these principles.

How unity can be better executed

very important and can be better executed by one person

How unity can be destroyed

in two ways, giving equal power to two or more "judges", or the illusion in one person.

What ability will be destroyed as the number of executives increase

ability of decision, activity, dispatch and secrecy

What is inevitable in a pluralistic executive

differences in opinions

A negative cause of difference of opinions

differences in opinions may even be because of petty reasons like dislike the opposition or the pursuit of planning it, and is more of a selfish reason rather than for the sake of the American people.

A negative effect of a pluralistic executive regarding personal relationships?

There is a peculiar danger of personal emulation and even animosity.

How a pluralistic executive affect respectability and authority?

They lessen the respectability, weaken the authority, and distract the plans and operations of those whom they divide.

A potential consequence of a pluralistic executive in critical emergencies?

It might impede or frustrate the most important measures of the government in the most critical emergencies of the state.

What community impact can a pluralistic executive have?

They might split the community into the most violent and irreconcilable factions, adhering differently to the different individuals who composed the magistracy.

How a pluralistic executive affects the government

The difference in opinions affects the efficiency and halts government work, or could maybe even cause gridlock.

It also takes away responsibility and conceal faults.

It also takes away the security of the public opinion, and the ability to know whose fault it is so that they may be punished accordingly.

Causes and reasons of mistrust in the government

" act in such a manner as to render them unworthy of being any longer trusted, than in such a manner as to make him obnoxious to legal punishment."

"multiplication of the executive adds to the difficulty of detection in either case"

"It is shifted from one to another with so much dexterity, and under such plausible appearances, that the public opinion is left in suspense about the real author."

"how easy is it to clothe the circumstances with so much ambiguity as to render it uncertain what was the precise conduct of any of those parties?"

"Scandalous appointments to important offices have been made. Some cases indeed have been so flagrant that ALL PARTIES have agreed on the impropriety of the thing."

"the people remain altogether at a loss to determine by whose influence their interests have been committed to hands so unqualified and so manifestly improper."

How a monarchy differs to a democracy regarding public blame

the king does not take the blame, instead his council who is responsible for the advice they give regarding the nation. Without it, there will be no responsibility in the executive branch.

But in a democracy this is not accepted. Instead, in a republic, each rep is responsible for their own behavior and choices in office. But a council would destroy the responsibility of the president.

What the ability of decision, activity, dispatch and secrecy contribute to

Unity

What is Hamilton's opinion on a council in the executive?

Hamilton believed that a council would destroy the responsibility of the president.

How does Hamilton view power distribution in a council

The idea of a council to the executive...considers power as safer in the hands of a number of men than of a single man."

What does Hamilton say about the advantages and disadvantages of a council?

He states that the advantages would not counterbalance the numerous disadvantages.

What concern does Hamilton raise about the size of a council?

He notes that if the council is numerous enough to fulfill its purpose, the salaries of its members would be a concern, as they must reside at the seat of government.