1. Chapter 3 FEDERALISM AND AMERICAN POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT
Political Theory Focus: The Roots of American Federalism; Federalist #s 17, 39, 46, and 51.
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2. Introduction
Federalism important for Founders because of their experience under British rule.
American Revolutionaries were opposed to monarchy.
Colonists believed in the limited government notion of republicanism’s virtue of self-rule.
They devised a system of government in which the states and a national government shared powers.
Founders sought a system that was effective, stable, and responsible to the citizenry.
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3. The Fear of a Tyrannical National Government
During the ratification debates, Federalists tried to quell the fears of the anti-Federalists that the Constitution would usurp state sovereignty.
The Federalists believed that the reverence for state governance and the rule of law could be maintained in a federal government.
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4. James Madison
Madison views federalism as providing greater security against tyranny.
In Federalist 51, Madison claims that, “Federalism and separation of powers work together to limit the power of government.”
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5. Alexander Hamilton
In Federalist #17, Hamilton recognizes that proponents of sovereign state governments should not fear the encroachment of the national government:
Local rule will not be interfered with by the national government due to differing constituent concerns
Most politics will remain local
State and local governments retain their historic roles regarding the promotion of civil rule and society.
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6. Federalism and Republicanism
Federalist #39, Madison (Publius)
Ratification is through the people based on popular sovereignty and the “mixed character“ of the processes for ratifying and amending the document.
The above makes the process a Republican one.
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7. The People’s Preference for State Governments
Federalist #46,
The federal government has a limited scope of authority.
The states have the power through their populace to reject the machinations of any future federal tyranny.
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8. The People’s Preference for State Governments
Popular sovereignty checks any potential for excessive federal empowerment.
The continued existence and self-empowerment of state and local governments provides additional security against the encroachment of the federal government in state and local matters.
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