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Federalist No. 35
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 continues his defense of broad federal taxing power, stating that it will be applied fairly and without harming state governments. He reassures readers that the federal government will not overburden citizens with excessive taxes because representatives, elected by the people, will ensure taxation is reasonable and balanced. Since lawmakers must answer to their constituents, they will consider the interests of all social and economic classes when designing tax policies.
Hamilton structures his defense of federal taxation around both democratic accountability and economic pragmatism. His reassurance that elected representatives will prevent excessive taxation is a rhetorical appeal to the core republican value of popular sovereignty—linking the power to tax directly to the will of the people.
Themes
Hamilton also addresses concerns that the federal government’s taxation power will interfere with the states’ ability to raise their own revenue. He argues that state and federal governments can coexist, each taxing different areas without conflict. He points out that states already have systems in place for collecting taxes efficiently, and the federal government can learn from these methods rather than imposing a completely new and disruptive system. Additionally, Hamilton argues that taxation should be flexible, allowing the government to adjust its approach based on economic conditions. Different regions and industries will have different financial capacities, and a fair system must take these differences into account.
Here, Hamilton appeals to the practical efficiencies of existing state tax systems, suggesting that the federal government can integrate these established structures rather than override them. This nod to state expertise subtly acknowledges state-level competence while reinforcing federal supremacy—a balance designed to ease fears of state irrelevance under the new Constitution. By advocating for adaptability—allowing tax burdens to shift according to economic conditions—he presents the federal system as powerful and responsive, capable of evolving with the nation’s needs while maintaining fairness across regions and industries.
Themes
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