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Federalist No. 73
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 examines the president’s role as commander-in-chief of the military, explaining why this authority is placed in the hands of a single individual rather than Congress or a council. In times of war or crisis, quick and decisive action is necessary, which would be impossible with a divided executive. A single commander-in-chief ensures that military decisions are made efficiently and without confusion. He also defends the president’s power to issue pardons, arguing that this authority provides an important check against judicial excesses. Mercy is sometimes necessary to correct injustices, and allowing the president to grant pardons ensures that individuals are not wrongfully punished when legal proceedings fail to consider exceptional circumstances. This power, Hamilton argues, is essential for maintaining justice and preventing the legal system from becoming too rigid.
Hamilton frames the president’s role as commander-in-chief as a matter of practical necessity rather than a concentration of power. In moments of crisis, swift and unified military decisions are essential, and dispersing authority across multiple bodies would only lead to confusion and delay. This emphasis on decisiveness extends to the pardon power as well, where Hamilton views mercy as a tool that sometimes needs to bypass slower legal processes. In both cases, he justifies concentrated executive authority not through appeals to tradition or status, but through the demands of efficiency and flexibility in moments when rigid procedures could do more harm than good.
Themes
