An Overview of the Arguments in the Federalist Papers

Alexander Hamilton wanted to help the ratification of the new Constitution. In 1787, so he decided that he would write and publish articles in order to explain the concepts of this Constitution. James Madison and John Jay were two other contributors that Hamilton added to help defend the new Constitution by writing articles as well. Although they are not part of the Constitution or legal documents, The Federalists Papers gained much popularity in the midst of the ratification of the Constitution. However, the ratification occurred with a small influence from these arguments. These Papers have been very important in American history because of the vital and genuine explanation of the Constitution. The Publius, pseudonym for the writers, describes certain concepts that were considered very crucial to the government. These concepts consisted of human lives, interests, federalism, and separation of powers. The Federalist Papers are best interpreted and understood through a republican argument and republican guidelines than those of democracy or other conflicting views.

What are the concepts of a republic or republican argument? The Federalist No. 39 goes on to define the concept of a republic as a government which derives all its power directly or indirectly from the great body of people, and is administered by persons holding their offices during pleasure, for a limited period, or during good behavior. This same paper goes on to say it is sufficient for such a government that the persons administering it be appointed, either directly or indirectly, by the people; and that they hold their appointments by either of tenures just specified (Madison No. 39). These are some of the specific arguments made by Madison in a republican mannerism. No. 39 also describes how many officials in the government are to be elected in a republics as well as their duration. Another example of the republic idea throughout the Papers is seen as a contrast between a democratic government and a republic, in No. 48 by James Madison. In a democracy, where a multitude of people exercise in person the legislative functionstyranny may well be apprehended, and the passage adds that in a representative republic, where the executive magistracy is carefully limited the legislative power is exercised by an assembly (Madison No. 48).

The Framers of the Constitution had certain type of government and how it would run in their minds while they constructed what is now our Constitution. Though we the people believe we are run by a democratic government, the real intent by these Framers was the make the establishment more of a republic than that of a democracy. From the guidelines mentioned in the Papers, there is a strong argument that does suggest this republican argument as an accurate interpretation of the Constitution. There have been suggestions that maybe these Papers embrace more of an anti- democratic or a pluralist interpretation, but the structure of these types of thoughts are completely different than those set forth by the Publius.

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The Pluralist theory simply goes against everything argued in these documents because one of their views on the government and how it should work does not comply with the thought of majority vote or equal representation. Pluralists believe that there are too many offices, branches etc. that are governing for any group to try and influence it or govern. Another thought is that pluralists do not argue that political resources are distributed equally- that would be tantamount to saying that all are decisions are made on majoritarian basis(Wilson Dilulio 10). In other words, their thoughts on ruling are that it is divided among certain elites. This whole concept is depleted in No. 39 when Madison describes that it is essential to such a government that it (delegation of powers) be derived from the great body of the society, not from an inconsiderable proportion, or a favored class of it(Madison No.39). The other theory that is considered a possible way to interpret the Papers is that of anti-democratic.

This theory, as well as the Pluralist view, is completely far-fetched from reality. The anti-democratic ideas are pretty much exactly what the name says: they were against a democratic state. Instead of having power spread throughout the government, these people wanted more checks put on the officials and less powered distributed throughout the national level and more toward the states. The fact that the United States is so big in size meant to them that there is no way that the national government could rule on liberty and freedom with so much space between them and the people. The republican idea is one that is somewhat a compromise between a democracy and an anti-democracy in the debate over representation.

The Framers realized that there is so much territory in the United States and because of this a democracy would lead to many people participating and the government would be run on popular ideas or passions. The result of this is described by Madison in No.10 as saying that a republic is to refine and enlarge the public views, by passing them through the medium of a chosen body of citizens, whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of their country, and whose patriotism and love of justice will be least likely to sacrifice it to temporary or partial considerations(Madison No.10). In other words, Madisons, Hamiltons, and other contributors to the Papers views and ideas are clearly a republican interpretation due to the fact that every aspect of how they believe the government should be run parallels that of a republic.

Another aspect of the Federalists Papers that should be brought up is that of the framework within the actual documents themselves. The description of certain concepts that are vital to the structure of the government are often repeated and intertwined throughout the course of the documents. Ideas such as separation of powers, representation, interests of the people, and federalism are often repeated in numerous Papers with each one adding more specifics to them. The idea of representation among the citizens is defined as equal and it is for the most part. In the first few documents, representation is described to be equal among all the citizens and there is to be an equal selected to office. Specificity in the arguments as to how many representatives each state should have depending on the size of the state and people is made clearer and clearer and the Papers progress onward.

The Senate is also described later on as to what the age, and nationality should be for a candidate. These topics also have very much to do with a republic because these are the same ideas that a republic does follow. Madison argued that divided these powers among people would help in the fight of personal ambitions and those of the people. Federalism was another idea expressed so that there was a sense of checks and balances, though those words were never completely expressed, on the governments at both a national and state level. This made it possible for governments to have power, but for not just one government to contain all of it. These are just many of the ideas expressed in the documents that are explained in a republican manner so the people could better understand the way the government would work if this Constitution were ratified.

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