Federalist 70- 1788

Written during the ratification debates over the Constitution, Federalist No. 70 addresses a key concern: whether a strong executive is compatible with republican government. Many Americans feared centralized power after their experience under British rule.

There is an idea… that a vigorous Executive is inconsistent with the genius of republican government.

Energy in the Executive is a leading character in the definition of good government.

It is essential to the protection of the community against foreign attacks… to the steady administration of the laws… to the protection of property… and to the security of liberty.

A feeble Executive implies a feeble execution of the government.

The ingredients which constitute energy in the Executive are, first, unity; secondly, duration; thirdly, an adequate provision for its support; fourthly, competent powers.

Decision, activity, secrecy, and dispatch will generally characterize the proceedings of one man…

Wherever two or more persons are engaged… there is always danger of difference of opinion.

One of the weightiest objections… is that it tends to conceal faults and destroy responsibility.

But one of the advantages of a single Executive is that it secures responsibility.

Text-Dependent Questions

1. What concern about executive power is Hamilton responding to?
2. What does Hamilton mean by “energy” in the executive?
3. Why does Hamilton argue that one executive is better than multiple leaders?
4. How does Hamilton connect executive power to accountability?