Federalist No 68 Links To External Sources

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In Federalist No. 68, Alexander Hamilton discusses the process devised at the Constitutional Convention for selecting the president of the United States. Hamilton praises this method, stating that, although not perfect, it is at least excellent. He emphasizes that the procedure aligns well with desirable goals for the election process and the qualities of the individuals who would be elected as president. Hamilton’s argument centers on how the Constitutional plan promotes these objectives and implicitly suggests that alternative methods might be less effective.

Hamilton’s procedural goal is to establish a system that ensures the election of a qualified, competent, and fit leader while maintaining independence from popular passions or demagoguery. He believes that the method of election should prevent any single person or faction from dominating the process. To achieve this, the Constitution employs a provisional electoral college, a body of electors chosen by state legislatures, which then selects the president. This approach aims to create a buffer between the populace and the final selection, reducing the influence of transient popular sentiments and insincere campaigning.

Alongside procedural goals, Hamilton underscores substantive aims, primarily the election of individuals who possess the "appropriate qualities" for the presidency. These qualities include prudence, wisdom, and a sense of public duty. Hamilton stresses that the electoral process should favor a candidate who displays these traits, thus ensuring effective leadership for the nation’s stability and prosperity.

To substantiate the effectiveness of the constitutional plan in achieving these goals, Hamilton argues that the electoral college serves as a safeguard against unqualified or unworthy candidates. He posits that electors, being typically more informed and less impulsive, are better suited to evaluate candidates than the general populace, especially in an era when information dissemination was limited. Moreover, the process provides multiple layers of decision-making—state legislatures selecting electors, then electors choosing the president—thereby curbing the influence of popular passions and ensuring a more deliberate, reasoned choice.

Hamilton also contends that the plan promotes stability by making the election process more insulated from tumult and transient political movements. He suggests that the system balances the need for public participation with the need for a qualified leadership, thus striving for a government that is both legitimate and effective. Furthermore, the structure encourages moderation among electors, who are motivated to select the candidate best suited to execute their constitutional duties.

Critically, Hamilton argues that alternative plans—such as direct popular election—could undermine these goals by increasing susceptibility to fleeting passions and populist appeals. He advocates for the Electoral College as a mechanism that synthesizes the will of the people with a prudential check, thereby framing a balanced approach that aligns procedural safeguards with substantive leadership qualities.

In sum, Hamilton’s argument in Federalist No. 68 underscores a carefully designed electoral process aimed at producing capable, virtuous leaders while protecting against impulsive or unworthy candidates. The plan's layered structure ensures that the election aligns with both procedural and substantive virtues, thus promoting a stable and effective government suited to the needs of the young republic.

References

• Hamilton, A. (1788). Federalist No. 68. In The Federalist Papers. Retrieved from https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/fed68.asp
• Berger, R. J. (2008). The Federalist and the Foundations of American Democracy. Harvard University Press.
• Elkins, S., & McKitrick, E. (1993). The Age of Federalism. Oxford University Press.
• Rakove, J. N. (1996). Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution. Vintage.
• Bailyn, B. (1993). The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution. Harvard University Press.
• Wood, G. S. (1991). The Radicalism of the American Revolution. Vintage.
• Miller, W. J. (1992). The Federalist Era: 1789-1801. HarperCollins.
• Gordon, J. (2004). The Constitution of the United States: A Contextual Analysis. Oxford University Press.
• Levinson, S. (1987). Our Undemocratic Constitution: Where the Constitution Goes Wrong (And How We the People Can Correct It). Oxford University Press.
• Feinstein, J. (2006). The Electoral College: An Overview. Congressional Research Service.