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Federalist No. 22
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
Alexander Hamilton argues that a strong federal government is essential for the survival and security of the United States. He identifies three key responsibilities that only a national government can effectively handle: defense against foreign threats, maintaining internal peace, and regulating trade and economic stability. He stresses that the government must have unlimited power to fulfill these duties because limiting its authority would make it ineffective. A government tasked with protecting the nation must have the ability to raise and command an army, enforce laws, and respond to crises without being constrained by weak authority. Hamilton warns that the Articles of Confederation fail to provide these necessary powers, leaving the country vulnerable to invasion, internal disorder, and economic instability. He claims that the best way to ensure security and prosperity is to give the federal government the strength it needs to govern effectively.
Hamilton’s argument focuses on the practical functions of government, framing national defense, internal order, and economic regulation as core responsibilities that require centralized authority. His insistence on unlimited power for these duties mirror his broader belief that half-measures in governance lead to systemic failure. This stance responds directly to the limitations of the Articles of Confederation. Notably, the Confederation’s inability to raise an army or enforce laws already exposed the government’s weakness during events like Shays’ Rebellion. Hamilton isn’t advocating unchecked tyranny but arguing that the government must have the tools necessary to meet its obligations—not having these tools compromises national security and internal stability.
Themes
