Republicanism in The Federalist Papers: Hamilton, Jay & Madison

Overview of The Federalist Papers

This paper presents the general theory of republicanism as an American political philosophy, drawing on The Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison (1787). After a brief overview of the relevant background on The Federalist Papers, the primary components of republicanism as set forth by Hamilton, Jay, and Madison are discussed, followed by a summary and conclusions.

The Federalist Papers have been described as representing one of the most important works in American political thought (Yarbrough, 1986). The collection consists of 85 letters written by Alexander Hamilton, Jay, and Madison under the pseudonym "Publius." The letters were addressed to the American public and were initially published in serial form in the newspapers of New York City. As explained by Rossiter (1961), the papers were written to influence the ratification of the Constitution.

Yarbrough further clarified that the motivation for the papers emerged after the Federal Convention concluded its session on September 17, 1787, having deliberated and compromised for four months on the Constitution. At the close of its session, the Federal Convention forwarded the proposed Constitution to Congress with the stipulation that nine states would need to ratify it before it could take effect. As noted by Yarbrough, Alexander Hamilton — a New York delegate to the Convention and one of the Constitution's most ardent advocates — recognized the importance of New York in securing ratification. New York was the seat of the Articles of Confederation and was believed to have a pivotal influence on the New England states as well as on other states. Hamilton sought the assistance of Jay and Madison in the hurried writing of The Federalist Papers as a means of gaining the support of the people of New York for ratification while educating them about the significance and meaning of the Constitution in establishing a system of government for America.

According to Rossiter (1961), of the 85 letters, Hamilton wrote fifty-one (Nos. 1, 6–9, 11–13, 15–17, 21–36, 59–61, 65–85), Madison wrote twenty-six (Nos. 10, 14, 37–58, and probably 62–63), and Jay wrote five (Nos. 2–5, 64). Three letters (Nos. 18–20) were the joint effort of Madison and Hamilton. As further explained by Rossiter, The Federalist Papers explain the benefits of federal government; criticize and document the Articles of Confederation as failing to produce such a government; examine the Constitution as a means of securing federalism; and discuss "enduring truths" that clarify both the dangers and benefits associated with free government. While the papers did little to influence the immediate outcome of ratification, they remain, as Rossiter notes, a lasting foundation for understanding federalism and an ongoing guide to the principles of constitutionalism — representing in their entirety a treatise on free government in peace and security.

Defining Republicanism

Within The Federalist Papers, Hamilton, Jay, and Madison articulate a conceptualization and vision of republicanism as the political-philosophical model upon which the federal government of the United States should be based. The papers include definitions of republicanism, discussions of its characteristics, and an account of the benefits associated with the constitutional guarantee of republicanism.

In Federalist No. 10, Madison distinguished between government based on republicanism and that representative of a pure democracy. According to Madison, a republic differs significantly from a pure democracy. He explained that a pure democracy often relies on the assembly of a small number of citizens who do not have the necessary incentive to protect the personal security or property rights of the larger society. As Madison observed, "theoretic politicians, who have patronized this species of government, have erroneously supposed that by reducing mankind to a perfect equality in their political rights, they would at the same time be perfectly equalized and assimilated in their possessions, their opinions, and their passions" (Hamilton, Jay & Madison in Rossiter, 1961, p. 81). Republicanism, by contrast, leads to the establishment of a republic in which a plan is developed and implemented to ensure representation of the people.

In No. 14, Madison offered further clarification on the distinction between the two forms of government:

"It is that in a democracy the people meet and exercise the government in person; in a republic they assemble and administer it by their representatives and agents. A democracy, consequently, must be confined to a small spot. A republic may be extended over a large region." (Hamilton, Jay & Madison in Rossiter, 1961, p. 100)

In No. 39, Madison provided a more expansive definition, explaining that a republic obtains all its powers "directly or indirectly from the great body of the people, and is administered by persons holding their offices during pleasure for a limited period, or during good behavior" (Hamilton, Jay & Madison in Rossiter, 1961, p. 241). Without the direct or indirect provision of power by the people, Madison concluded that governments claiming to conform to republicanism fail to do so.

Conclusion

The Federalist Papers provided a general conceptualization of republicanism. Hamilton, Jay, and Madison, through their writings, offered a means of clarifying and further developing an understanding of the meaning of republicanism and what it offered to the American people. The authors provided an explication of the principles associated with republicanism as outlined within and underlying the Constitution.