Federalist Papers

#1 (Hamilton)

The Constitution is established to prove that America can make good government

#10 Madison

Factions are mischievous because they seek their own interest. They are prevented by representative democracy and the great size of the U.S.

#15 Hamilton

Weak Articles of Confederation because the States are too autonomous; the States need to be controlled

#39 Madison

The Republic is both national and federal.

#46 Madison

State governments focus on local issues, and the federal government has limited control over state governments

#48 Madison

not separation of powers but separate institutions sharing powers (so they have constitutional checks on each other)

#51 Madison

People aren’t angels - they need government to control them and also control itself, ambition must counter ambition, self-interest must be properly channeled to protect public interest,

#53 Madison

House members will have two-year term because they need to travel and learn complicated issues.

#55 Madison

“ if every Athenian citizen been a Socrates, every Athenian assembly would still have been a mob”House members will grow proportionally with the population

#56 Madison

Representatives need to know commerce, taxation, and the militia

#57 Madison

Frequent elections keep the representatives empathetic to their constituents

#62 Madison

An equal number of Senators voted by state legislator to balance out the House, and they will have longer terms to gain greater expertise and make better policy

#63 Madison

The Senate controls the passions of the people found in the House, and presents a sense of stability and national character. The Senate will pass better laws.

#68 Hamilton

defends the electoral college as it is the best at choosing a president- fearful of mob rule, the electorates will make sure the President is able and virtuous

#69 Hamilton

The President is not a monarch as it is weak: can be impeached, is tightly checked, has a short term, cannot keep Congress out of session, and has vetoes overridden by others.

#70 Hamilton

“Energy in the executive” is critical to the administration of the laws. Ingredients of energy include Unity, duration of office, adequate support (stable salary), and competent powers

#76 Hamilton

The Senate checks on the president's appointment of political appointees- the Senate is needed to “be an excellent check upon a spirit of favoritism in the President

#78 Hamilton

Judiciary is the weakest branch as it has no power over the purse or sword- merely judgement

#85 Hamilton

“I never expect to see a perfect work from imperfect man.” “it is the best which our political situation, habits, and opinions will admit” The Constitution is imperfect, but it can be changed/adapted/fixed.