Federalist #70 Assignment
Read Federalist #70 and answer the following questions:
1. What does Hamilton mean when he refers to "energy"?
The phrase "energy" is a term used by Alexander Hamilton to describe the government's
executive branch. In particular, he contends that a powerful and spirited executive branch
is required for efficient government, and that this vigor can be attained by a single,
unitary executive rather than a multi-person executive, such as a council or committee.
2. What does Hamilton say about property rights?
Hamilton believes that the protection of property rights should be treated equal to the
protection of the country against foreign attacks. He believes that “Energy in the
Executive” is crucial for the protection of property rights.
3. Why does Hamilton put property rights before rights to liberty?
Hamilton is prioritizing property rights over rights to liberty because he believes that
gaining justice for property rights will automatically ensure the existence of liberty. This
is a possible reason why he listed property rights before rights to liberty.
4. Is a plural executive the right thing or is it important to have only one executive?
Hamilton argues that the President, our Executive, must be capable and energetic. We
won't be able to establish the unity required for efficient government unless in this way.
When two or more people have equal control over the Executive or when the
administration of the Executive is called to account, unity is broken. A plural executive
structure shouldn't be feared more than a single person's ambition. Hamilton uses Rome
as an illustration of the mistakes that several presidents or a divided legislature might
make.
5. Do you think we have adhered to Hamilton in our current system? Why/why not?
There are some ways in which we have adhered to Hamilton in our current system. The
US President is still one of the most powerful people in the country if not the world.
However, the reliance on a unitary executive is slipping as many are working to make
sure Congress becomes more powerful than the presidency. Currently, we are still more
on Hamilton’s side, but I can see it slipping further and further away in the future.
Submit your completed assignment when you are finished.
Sources below:
Research guides: Federalist papers: Primary documents in American history: Full text of the
federalist papers. Full Text of The Federalist Papers - Federalist Papers: Primary
Documents in American History - Research Guides at Library of Congress. (n.d.).
Retrieved February 22, 2023, from https://guides.loc.gov/federalist-papers/full-text