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Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Federalist Papers, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
The Importance of the Constitution
The Necessity of a Strong Union
Leadership and Representation
Checks and Balances
Federal Power vs. States Rights
Summary
Analysis
James Madison and Alexander Hamilton continue using historical examples to show why weak confederations fail. They focus on the Holy Roman Empire, Poland, and the Swiss Confederacy, arguing that these systems were ineffective because they lacked strong central authority. They describe how the Holy Roman Empire was a loose collection of states where the central government had little real power. Because it could not enforce laws or maintain order, the empire was constantly plagued by internal conflicts and foreign interference.
The Holy Roman Empire serves as a clear warning about the dangers of fragmented authority, showing how a nominal central power is too weak to prevent internal conflicts or foreign manipulation. The Holy Roman Empire’s inability to enforce laws created a patchwork of self-interested states, constantly vulnerable to external influence and internal disorder—exactly the fate Madison and Hamilton fear for the United States under the Articles of Confederation. By invoking this long-lasting but ineffective empire, they emphasize that longevity does not equate to stability or strength.
Themes
Poland faced a similar problem, with a weak king and a system where any one noble could veto decisions, making it impossible to pass effective laws. The Swiss Confederacy, though somewhat successful, struggled with divisions between its regions and lacked the unity needed for stability. Madison and Hamilton warn that the United States is on the same path while it remains under the Articles of Confederation. They insist that a weak national government that cannot enforce its laws or unify the states will lead to division, economic stagnation, and unwanted outside influence from foreign powers.
The inclusion of Poland and the Swiss Confederacy sharpens the argument by presenting two contrasting but equally problematic systems. Poland’s notorious “liberum veto,” which allowed any single noble to block legislation, becomes a symbol of how procedural safeguards can be manipulated into tools of paralysis, leading to national weakness and foreign exploitation. The Swiss Confederacy, though more stable, still struggled with regional rivalries that undermined its cohesion, making it vulnerable to external pressures. Madison and Hamilton use these examples not to dismiss all forms of confederation but to stress that without a strong central authority, even cooperative alliances may eventually falter.
Themes
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