The Feds

I think any American that holds any sort of political opinion, has a political affiliation of one sort of another, be required to read at least one installment of The Federalist Papers. It is beautiful stuff.

What are the Federalist Papers you ask?

First, let me explain that the word “Federalist” refers to a political party formed in 1783, after the creation of the US,and led by Alexander Hamilton, the same guy shot and killed by Aaron Burr in a duel near Hoboken, NJ. Burr’s bones lay in the Princeton cemetery just a few dozen meters from where I live. Anyway, The Federalist Papers were a series of articles written before the ratification of the US constitution, around 1787, many of which were penned by, yes, you guessed it, Alexander Hamilton.

To gain an understanding of what politicians and other movers and shakers of the colonial era were thinking in terms creating a brand new system of government, uniquely American, one can refer to articles written and published in the Federalist Papers. The articles were a form of banter between thinkers, in disseminating, interpreting and outlining what sort of government should be set in place based on ideas and values Americans hold dear(as reflected in the Declaration of Independence, etc…freedom, equality, all that jazz…).

In short, the authors of these 85 articles also include, aside from Hamilton, James Madison (future president) and John Jay, and although published “anonymously,” the authorship of each is apparent. Federalist papers #10 and #51 are arguably the most well known (and influential). The entire document elaborates on the argument as to how much or how little government was necessary, very similar to the debate that rages today as to how much power our federal government should have and to what degree states should be independent from the whole.

Of course, other issues were also discussed, like what sort of pitfalls and dangers a federal republic (which the US is) would encounter. The Federalist Papers are oddly prophetic. Fed. #10, written by Madison, specifically discusses the problem of “faction,” or the segmentation of the political process into parties and minority and majority groups, formed for any number of reasons. You could say Democrats and Republicans, for example. He talks about his fear that certain groups, or factions, would become more powerful and influential than other groups, and this would lead to corruption. Sound familiar?

Anyway, I’m not going to spoil the fun. I recommend #10 for starters. The articles are a way of understanding the basis, the foundation, of our system and are a good reminder of what the early politicians had in mind. If only we could keep on track.

The Federalist Papers