Federalist Paper #22, written by Alexander Hamilton, is a critical essay in the series advocating for the ratification of the United States Constitution. This paper focuses on the shortcomings of the Articles of Confederation and the necessity of establishing a strong federal government to ensure the nation’s stability, security, and prosperity.

Overview

Hamilton begins by addressing the inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation, which governed the United States during the early years of independence. He critiques the existing system’s inability to regulate commerce, which led to economic discord and inefficiency. Under the Articles, individual states often enacted conflicting trade policies, harming both interstate commerce and international trade relationships.

One of the most significant weaknesses Hamilton identifies is the lack of a central authority to enforce laws uniformly across all states. This absence of enforcement power rendered the Confederation Congress virtually impotent, relying on state compliance that was neither guaranteed nor consistent. Hamilton argues that this fragmentation threatened the union’s cohesion and efficacy.

Hamilton also highlights the deficiencies in legislative procedures under the Articles. The requirement for a supermajority to pass important legislation made it difficult to enact necessary laws, often resulting in legislative paralysis. This inefficiency hampered the government’s ability to respond to national issues promptly and effectively.

To address these issues, Hamilton advocates for several key components of the proposed Constitution. He emphasizes the need for a federal judiciary to interpret and apply laws consistently across the nation. This judiciary would act as a check on legislative and executive actions, ensuring that laws adhere to the Constitution.

Hamilton also underscores the importance of a strong executive branch. Under the Articles, the lack of a centralized executive authority led to weak enforcement of national policies. The proposed Constitution’s executive branch, vested in the presidency, would provide the necessary leadership to implement and enforce laws.

Another significant point Hamilton makes is the necessity of proportional representation in the legislature. Unlike the equal representation model under the Articles, where each state had one vote regardless of size, proportional representation ensures that larger states have a fairer share of influence in national decision-making, balancing the interests of both large and small states.

In his conclusion, Hamilton argues that the proposed Constitution will rectify the flaws of the Articles of Confederation, providing a more robust framework for governance. He asserts that a strong federal government is essential for maintaining stability, protecting individual rights, and fostering economic and social prosperity.

Key Takeaways from Federalist Paper #22

1. Need for Centralized Authority: Hamilton highlights the necessity of a strong central government to manage commerce, national defense, and domestic peace effectively.
2. Critique of the Articles of Confederation: He points out the inefficiencies and weaknesses of the existing system, including inconsistent laws, weak legislative processes, and lack of enforcement power.
3. Proportional Representation: Advocates for proportional representation in the legislature to ensure fair and effective governance.
4. Federal Judiciary and Executive: Emphasizes the importance of a federal judiciary and a stronger executive branch to uphold laws and provide balanced governance.
5. Stability and Prosperity: Argues that the Constitution will bring stability, protect individual rights, and promote economic and social prosperity for the nation.

Federalist Paper #22 is a compelling argument for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, presenting a clear case for the need to move beyond the Articles of Confederation to a more effective and unified system of government. Hamilton’s insights remain relevant as a foundational perspective on the importance of a strong federal structure in maintaining the United States’ integrity and success.

*Written with the assistance of ChatGPT 3.5

Note:  This blog is all about how critical skills are used – and applies throughout all essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. The entire series of the Federalist Papers demonstrates the critical skills of communications, critical thinking, production, and technology. The Founding Fathers had to use the technology available to them at the time (newspapers) to articulate their views to a wide audience.