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Federalist No. 53
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 addresses a controversial issue: how the government counts population for representation and taxation, particularly regarding enslaved people. He explains that the Constitution’s three-fifths compromise, which counts enslaved individuals as part of the population for determining representation and taxation, was necessary to balance the interests of northern and southern states. Madison presents arguments from both sides, acknowledging that some viewed this compromise as unjust while others saw it as a practical necessity. He does not take a personal stance on the morality of slavery but focuses on explaining why the compromise was included in the Constitution.
Federalist No. 54 showcases the stark pragmatism of the Convention, where Madison employs a technical calculation to address sectional conflicts by counting enslaved individuals as three-fifths for representation and taxation. This approach, focused purely on balancing competing interests without engaging with the moral implications of systematically dehumanizing enslaved people, is part of a willingness to prioritize political unity over what is ethical and just. In modern discourse, this compromise is widely criticized as a significant shortcoming of the Constitution, emblematic of how foundational compromises can entrench systemic inequalities.
Themes
