Federalist Papers – Essay #57

In Essay #57, The Alleged Tendency of the New Plan to Elevate the Few at the Expense of the Many Considered in Connection with Representation, the author keeps the focus on reassuring the people of New York that their popular fears of oligarchy, or rule by a few, will not occur under the new Constitution – that the new, powerful national government will not use its authority to violate the interests of the people.

He uses the following:

  • a very logical approach, backed up by examples from both the English system of government and the state governments, to show that the government outlined in the proposed constitution contains sufficient safeguards to protect against a tyrannical legislature;
  • an appeal to the American “spirit,” which Madison describes as “vigilant and manly…a spirit which nourishes freedom.”

Credit for the summary and analysis of Essay #57 is given to Brittany Nelson and Christopher Higgins (second revision 09/15/2011). Weinbloom, Elizabeth ed. “The Federalist Papers Essay #57 Summary and Analysis”. GradeSaver, 30 December 2011 Web. 5 February 2019.

You can read a summary and analysis of Essay #57 by clicking HERE.

You can read the entire text of Essay #57 by clicking HERE.

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