Federalist Papers – Essay #23

In Essay #23, The Necessity of a Government as Energetic as the One Proposed to the Preservation of the Union, Alexander Hamilton argues for the “necessity of a Constitution, at least equally energetic with the one proposed, to the preservation of the Union.”

Hamilton doesn’t waste time with generalities, and outlines three main points:

• What the Federal Government should provide;
• The amount of power necessary to carry out their positions;
• Who in the government should do this.

What the government should provide:

• The common defense of the members,
• The preservation of public peace,
• The regulation of commerce, and the conducting of foreign affairs.

The amount of power necessary to carry out their positions:

• The government must have the power to “pass all laws and make all regulation” which pertain to the common safety of the union.

Who in the Government should do this:

• Hamilton does not dig into details on this issue – rather, he defers this until later essays.

Credit for the summary and analysis is given to Brittany Nelson and Christopher Higgins (second revision 09/15/2011). Weinbloom, Elizabeth ed. “The Federalist Papers Essay 23 Summary and Analysis”. GradeSaver, 30 December 2011 Web. 24 January 2019.  

You can read the summary and analysis for Essay #23 by clicking HERE.

You can read the entire text of Essay #23 by clicking HERE.