Federalist #17 - Alexander Hamilton - Federalist Fridays
Welcome to Federalist Fridays, where each week we do a brief review (and Anti-Federalist critique) of a Federalist Paper. This week is Federalist #17.
In Federalist #17 Alexander Hamilton discusses the Anti-Federalist fear that one person could too easily accumulate power.
If you have missed any of our earlier articles, check out the full list of Federalists here.
Federalist # 17
Alexander Hamilton
December 5, 1787
The Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union
In Federalist #17, Alexander Hamilton continues the same subject he was discussing the previous day…kind of.
Although the title suggests Hamilton will be diving into problems with the Articles of Confederation, he actually analyses why no one should fear the National Government taking power away from the States.
Hamilton argues that since people are closer to the State Governments (both physically and politically), the National Government will not have the support to encroach on the power of the States.
This article is different from Alexander’s previous Papers as it does not fall back on facts and references to the same degree. Instead, though he reasons the issues out logically, he seems to be presenting ideas that are wholly his own.
While this is interesting, as it is original American political thought, it leaves him open to a fair amount of criticism. This is especially true because the fear of the National Government making the States obsolete was one of the main problems discussed by the Anti-Federalists.
Therefore, instead of following my usual pattern of discussing the Anti-Federalist argument at the end, I will be responding to Hamilton’s points as they are presented herein.
Unimaginable
In the first paragraph Hamilton states:
“Allowing the utmost latitude to the love of power which any reasonable man can require, I confess I am at a loss to discover what temptation the persons intrusted with the administration of the general government could ever feel to divest the States of the authorities of that description.”
With this, Hamilton is basically saying that he can’t imagine why a person would want to use the National Government to assume the responsibilities of the States.
Really? You can’t possibly fathom the idea? This seems really hard to believe.
Although the phrase ‘absolute power corrupts absolutely’ was not around at the time, the sentiment certainly was known. It is fairly shocking that he would start a Paper by claiming the topic he is arguing against is unimaginable.
This would make it extremely difficult to sway someone to your side, which was the purpose of the Federalist Papers.
Physical Distance
Hamilton proceeds with:
“…a man is more attached to his family than to his neighborhood, to his neighborhood than to the community at large, the people of each State would be apt to feel a stronger bias towards their local governments than towards the government of the Union…”
Alexander is demonstrating that people are more attached to things they are physically close to. This seems to be reasonably true, but it makes one ask…why give them a National Government that they are farther away from? If the people want a better government, shouldn’t it be one they feel attached to?
Any Anti-Federalist would immediately argue that a National Government at such a great distance from the people that they don’t feel attached to it could transition itself toward tyranny quickly and without much resistance.
Vigorous and Warlike Temper
Hamilton briefly discusses feudal quasi-republican systems of government from the past. Here, he admits, ‘a man of vigorous and warlike temper and of superior abilities’ can take (and have taken) over a confederated government of separate States.
It is strange that he does this. Hamilton is not only acknowledging the Anti-Federalist fears are possible, but he contradicts his earlier claim that he couldn’t image this situation at all.
In the end, Hamilton’s assertion that no one would lead the National Government to assume the powers of the States boils down to one reason: no one would want to do that.
It is easy to counter this by saying: yes they would. There are selfish, power hungry people out there who would be happy to take the opportunity to accumulate control for themselves.
If you would like to read about some members of the Federalist Party, check out these articles on Rufus King and John Jay.
Although it is about the creation of the Constitution and not the Federalist Papers, today I am recommending ‘Plain, Honest Men’ because it discusses certain intimate details about many of the Founders you don’t get elsewhere. Also, I really love the book. Pick up a copy through the affiliate link below and you can support the site at no additional cost to you.
If you enjoyed this article, please consider subscribing to my email list for a new Founder every day!
