The Federalist Papers were written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay to highlight the beneficial elements of the new Constitution and win support for ratification. Three of the most famous Federalist Papers were # 10, 51 and 78. Read the excerpts below and try to analyze and summarize the key points you think the authors were making. Period: FEDERALIST, Federalist 51 “In order to lay a due foundation for that separate and distinct exercise of the different powers of government, which to a certain extent is admitted on all hands to be essential to the preservation of liberty, it is evident that each department should have a will of its own; and consequently should be so constituted that the members of each should have as little agency as possible in the appointment of the members of the others.” 1. What feature of the new Constitution is Madison highlighting in this Federalist Paper? None
Making Sense of The Federalist Papers Directions: The Federalist Papers were written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay to highlight the beneficial elements of the new Constitution and win support for ratification. Three of the most famous Federalist Papers were # 10, 51 and 78. Read the excerpts below and try to analyze and summarize the key points you think the authors were making. Period: FEDERALIST, Federalist 51 “In order to lay a due foundation for that separate and distinct exercise of the different powers of government, which to a certain extent is admitted on all hands to be essential to the preservation of liberty, it is evident that each department should have a will of its own; and consequently should be so constituted that the members of each should have as little agency as possible in the appointment of the members of the others.” 1. What feature of the new Constitution is Madison highlighting in this Federalist Paper? “But the great security against a gradual concentration of the several powers in the same department, consists in giving to those who administer each department the necessary constitutional means and personal motives to resist encroachments of the others. The provision for defense must in this, as in all other cases, be made commensurate to the danger of attack. Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.” 2. What does Madison say is the “great security” against too much concentration of power? What constitutional principle is he referring to?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
1. Feature Madison Highlights in Federalist 51:
James Madison emphasizes the importance of the separation of powers within the new Constitution. He argues that each branch of government (executive, legislative, judicial) must have a distinct and independent will to preserve liberty. This is accomplished by ensuring that each branch is as independent as possible from the others in its selection process and actions.
2. Great Security Against Concentration of Power:
Madison suggests that the “great security” against the concentration of power in one branch is the system of checks and balances. He believes that the branches should be structured in a way that each can resist encroachments from the others. He refers to the principle that ambition must be made to counteract ambition, meaning each branch’s desire to gain power would be checked by the others, ensuring no one branch dominates. This principle is central to the Constitution’s design and supports the balance of powers.
In conclusion, Madison was advocating for a system where power is carefully distributed and checked to avoid any one branch gaining too much power, thus protecting individual liberties.