The Federalist Papers
Please read the first Fed paper (and any other that catches your attention) by Hamilton (Link is above). Please post a comment to this post that responds to the following queries:
What point is Hamilton making here?
What do you think about his argument?
Please be thoughtful in your comment!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Mrs. Branigan
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ReplyDeleteThe Federalist papers aimed to create a Constitution for the United States, on the grounds that the country should be united in order to care for all of its parts. Of course I agree with this, given the Articles of Confederation were particularly unsuccessful in terms of generating revenue and resources for the Revolutionary War, but I also feel that Hamilton's point is just as simple as my synopsis, and I don't quite understand how he wrote so much on the subject.
ReplyDeleteI think that Hamilton's main point is that the current government is not working and the new government must be established under a specific constitution. This constitution must be set up in such a way that it most benefits the governed peoples and so that power is equally and correctly distributed. I agree with his argument because I think that it is important for a constitution to reflect the needs of the people and for the government to support these needs even if they are not always obvious.
ReplyDelete-We need to adopt a nation-wide set of laws (constitution) in order to have harmony and progress as a nation
ReplyDelete-If all laws were just state laws, there would be nothing but bickering between the states; we as a country would get nothing done, because each state would be arguing to protect its own interests. There would be no sense of unity and no progress as a country.
-I agree with Hamilton. I find it highly unlikely that states would be able to operate as one unified country without something tangible to unify them. State rights are important, but without a constitution to lay the groundwork there would be no country - just a bunch of independently operating states with no common interests or principles.
Hamilton is arguing for the creation of a Constitution in order to protect the people from themselves. He believes that in a new nation like America was, people would become so involved in their own ideas and beliefs that they would succumb to infighting and their nation would never get itself off the floor. But rather then defer all rights to one ruler, like a monarchy, the goal of America is to create a government that does function and serve all the people's beliefs to the best of its power. So we must set aside the quibbling and self destructive orneriness of human nature, and create a constitution, a separate and basic template for law within the country, to act as a sort of Lockeian "third party". Personally, I am all for this, and I sincerely hope that all American citizens are because it is the basis of our entire system of politics. If you disagree with this statement you might wanna move to a different country, simply because you would be disagreeing with what is essentially the heart and soul of American politics.
ReplyDeleteHamilton is writing about the need for a constitution in the united states. He says that men are basically selfish and care about their own rights and not the rights of the union. Therefore there must be a common law or constitution that everyone must abide by in order to obtain peace and contentment. I do agree with what Hamilton is saying and I feel that it is a necessity to have a constitution that is in the interest of the people and that everyone is subjugated to.
ReplyDeleteHere, Hamilton asks his readers to reflect upon the inefficiencies of government. He states that, in the Federalist Papers, the people have been given a unique opportunity in that they can personally answer a profound political question, "whether societies of men are really capable or not of establishing good government from reflection and choice, or whether...for their political constitutions on accident and force." Hamilton also provides his readers with reasons for ratifying the Constitution so that the people may answer this question. In conclusion, Hamilton poses another question: whether the people adopt the Constitution, or they see the end of a united government. Essentially, Hamilton says that teh adoption of the Constitution will further uphold the ideas set forth in the Declaration of Independence, "TS ADOPTION WILL AFFORD TO THE PRESERVATION OF THAT SPECIES OF GOVERNMENT, TO LIBERTY, AND TO PROPERTY." I think he means business with that bold capitalization. Though it is evident that Hamilton is trying to persuade his readers into agreeing with his views, I think Hamilton makes a good argument. He allows the people to reflect upon the Constitution rather than spewing facts and haughty opinions. Because the American government is a democracy, the people do have a right to think about what type of government they're submitting themselves to.
ReplyDeleteI wholeheartedly agree with the message set forth by Hamilton, in that the US needs to implement a set of laws that protect the equality and liberty of all of its citizens. Harmony and agreement must be ubiquitous, and laws that only exist to govern each individual state must be avoided, considering the quarrels that would result. While state rights are necessary, each state is incapable of acting as one nation, and must have a larger governmental body to adhere to.
ReplyDeleteWhat point is Hamilton making here?
ReplyDelete- that the only way to unite and fix the government is by making a constitution
- the constitution will serve as a means to unite the states, as the government has not been doing so
- that the constitution would protect the rights of the people (liberty and property)
What do you think about his argument?
I think that his argument is valid. Placing all people in the country under one law, with one encompassing form of government will unite the states and create a common ground between all. Also if the government knows the laws and can not individually (each state) set forth their own laws, there is a better chance for humans rights to be protected.
In his address, Hamilton attempts to persuade the members of government to edit the Constitution. He believed that the government at the time was too insufficient to succeed. For this reason, he somewhat proposes a challenge to his fellow representatives as if that time was the time to make a difference in government, the 1st where a legislature truly governed for its citizens, void of any selfish interests. He emits a very optimistic outlook for the potential of the USA, and believed that the nation, once free of self interest and corruption, had the potential to be great. In terms of his structure of the essay, he states the benefits of such ratification and transformation of the Constitution in order to win over those opposed to it. He does not repudiate members against the ratification, simply attempts to answer questions and persuade them otherwise, yet does not lash out against current progress. He seems to argue that argue that the country is too large to establish a national system of government. He calls for a modification of government and proposes a strong Union. However, he doesn't really need to be as wordy (as myself),for his point is already made.
ReplyDeleteHamilton is trying to convince the general public that all 13 states should become a union under a federal government. He argues that unions are natural to us in all other forms, and thus, a union amongst states is also natural and necessary to maintain harmony. I agree with Hamilton, and think he makes his point well. I think it is interesting that he is aiming to simply convince people that a Constitution is necessary-- he does not address (too much) the actual balance between the federal and state governments.
ReplyDeleteThrough the Federalist papers, Hamilton is making the point that the American people should support the ratification the Constitution. Hamilton makes it clear in the papers about his view on Americans and how they are self- interested, and with a group of people self- interested people, America should have a Constitution that everyone needs to follow for equality. However, I do agree with Hamilton that there should be a sense of equality in the Constitution.
ReplyDeleteHamilton's main point is that America needs a constitution based upon the rights of people. Governments and constitutions beforehand were based upon the the efficiency of the government, for this only leads to tyranny. He also says that the largest obstacle in establishing a constitution is getting the majority of men in each to state agree on it without wanting to change it.
ReplyDeleteI think Hamilton praises the Constitution and is very critical of the current government. He recognizes the biases of many different types of people. He believes that the government must benefit and protect the people under it. Certain men resist changes that can lead to a diminution of power or salary. Other men will try to increase their power in the government. He understands that while people can be influenced by others, these people need to be able to recognize this influence. The laws that are provided by the Constitution are necessary in the United States. People sometimes forget that a vigorous government is necessary in order to ensure the liberty and safety of the people. Hamilton understands that there will be strongly opposing reactions, but he believes that the Constitution is the only plausible option. I believe that only with a constitution or some other type of concrete set of laws can a country be completely unified and successful.
ReplyDeleteHamilton is discussing the importance of a new constitution but also addressing the obstacles that stand in the way of the creation of it. These obstacles include the men who resist a decrease of their power and who seek to aggrandize themselves along with the dissenting opinions of the states. A separate government for each state, however, would cause too many problems and wouldn't be as effective as one common government for all states. A new constitution would be in the best interest of the states and the people because it protects liberty and property, in turn keeping the people happy.
ReplyDeleteThe first of the Federalist Papers is perhaps one of the greatest essays on American prosperity, government, and overall greatness. In this remarkable passage, Hamilton gives an overview of of American political thought, and outlines what he wants to see, in terms of political rights and freedoms for citizens. The passage is actually very inspiring - it makes me want to carry around our constitution in my pocket, all the time. What a great way to get into these founding documents.
ReplyDeleteThe Federalist Papers call out for a central, unified government and binding Constitution. Without it, the states are hardly united. While some laws will continue to vary from state to state, many must be uniform in order to preserve the rights "to liberty, and to property." The Constitution will "add the inducements of philanthropy to those of patriotism." I personally agree with Hamilton's thoughts and papers. The states will function with greater power as a whole, and central laws and ideas can promote key rights of all citizens.
ReplyDeleteThe key idea behind Hamilton's writing is that of unity, in that the 13 states needed to unite under shared leadership in order to preserve the shared pursuit of liberty. Hamilton may be an idealist, but his writings lend a shade of pragmatism to the affairs he describes as well -- the re-structuring of power he details may be a bitter pill for many, but regardless a necessary (and ultimately fruitful) one for a society of freedom to function. In Hamilton's eyes, what is important for the nation to function is the idea of a unified pursuit, which can only be accomplished when the states form a cohesive whole.
ReplyDeleteHamilton points out that a constitution is necessary in order to prevent an unequal distribution of power amongst classes and to prevent "perverted ambition". I found this to be very Hobbsean in that he Hamilton essentially believes that a government is needed to keep order and peace of men who would otherwise (if left to their own means), cause chaos. Hamilton does not dwell on specifics or lament on the evils of mankind as the purpose of the papers are, above all, to advocate the new constitution that would unify all 13 sates. As a whole I agree with the central government and just constitution he fought for.
ReplyDelete