The Federalist Papers

On Federalist No. 19: The Same Subject Continued: The Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union, a Reading Room essay

On Federalist No. 19: The Same Subject Continue...

Michael Fowler

Madison and Hamilton continue through European confederacies, tracing how the Holy Roman Empire and others struggled to act as one. The pattern they draw out is consistent: shared sovereignty without...

On Federalist No. 19: The Same Subject Continue...

Michael Fowler

Madison and Hamilton continue through European confederacies, tracing how the Holy Roman Empire and others struggled to act as one. The pattern they draw out is consistent: shared sovereignty without...

On Federalist No. 18: The Same Subject Continued: The Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union, a Reading Room essay

On Federalist No. 18: The Same Subject Continue...

Michael Fowler

Madison and Hamilton turn to history, examining the Greek confederacies for lessons on what loose unions do under strain. The ancient record is read as a warning, leagues that could...

On Federalist No. 18: The Same Subject Continue...

Michael Fowler

Madison and Hamilton turn to history, examining the Greek confederacies for lessons on what loose unions do under strain. The ancient record is read as a warning, leagues that could...

On Federalist No. 17: The Same Subject Continued: The Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union, a Reading Room essay

On Federalist No. 17: The Same Subject Continue...

Michael Fowler

Hamilton answers the fear that a national government would swallow the states, arguing the opposite is more likely: local attachments run deep and naturally check distant power. It is a...

On Federalist No. 17: The Same Subject Continue...

Michael Fowler

Hamilton answers the fear that a national government would swallow the states, arguing the opposite is more likely: local attachments run deep and naturally check distant power. It is a...

On Federalist No. 16: The Same Subject Continued: The Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union, a Reading Room essay

On Federalist No. 16: The Same Subject Continue...

Michael Fowler

Hamilton continues against the Confederation, showing how a union that acts only on states, not on individuals, invites paralysis and force. The argument builds toward a government that touches citizens...

On Federalist No. 16: The Same Subject Continue...

Michael Fowler

Hamilton continues against the Confederation, showing how a union that acts only on states, not on individuals, invites paralysis and force. The argument builds toward a government that touches citizens...

On Federalist No. 15: The Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union, a Reading Room essay

On Federalist No. 15: The Insufficiency of the ...

Michael Fowler

Hamilton begins a hard look at the existing Articles of Confederation, arguing that a government which can ask but never require is no government at all. The essay names the...

On Federalist No. 15: The Insufficiency of the ...

Michael Fowler

Hamilton begins a hard look at the existing Articles of Confederation, arguing that a government which can ask but never require is no government at all. The essay names the...

On Federalist No. 14: Objections to the Proposed Constitution From Extent of Territory Answered, a Reading Room essay

On Federalist No. 14: Objections to the Propose...

Michael Fowler

Madison answers the worry that a republic cannot govern a territory as large as America. He separates a republic from a direct democracy and argues the new plan was built...

On Federalist No. 14: Objections to the Propose...

Michael Fowler

Madison answers the worry that a republic cannot govern a territory as large as America. He separates a republic from a direct democracy and argues the new plan was built...