Brutus #1

Government

Brutus’s concern

People must be cautious when granting power to government because rulers rarely give power back voluntarily.

Necessary and Proper Clause concern

Gives Congress unlimited implied powers; risks consolidation of all power in national government.

Supremacy Clause concern

Federal laws override state laws; makes states powerless to intervene for their citizens.

Size of republic argument

Large republics cannot last; too many conflicting interests, clashing opinions, and difficulty in decision-making.

Use of “great thinkers”

Montesquieu and others argued republics must be small to survive; large republics lead to corruption and abuse of power.

Diversity concern

U.S. is too diverse in customs and interests; representatives will constantly conflict, slowing government and harming public good.

Representation problem

In large republics, government leaders will be distant from the people and abuse their power for personal gain.

Brutus’s conclusion

A free republic cannot survive over such a vast territory; the Constitution consolidates power too much and should not be ratified.