Federalist 70 | Primary Source Essentials

In this Federalist Paper, Alexander Hamilton argues for a strong executive leader, as provided for by the Constitution, as opposed to the weak executive under the Articles of Confederation. He asserts, “energy in the executive is the leading character in the definition of good government.

After the Constitution was completed during the summer of 1787, the work of ratifying it (or approving it) began. As the Constitution itself required, 3/4ths of the states would have to approve the new Constitution before it would go into effect for those ratifying states.

Why does the Constitution call for a unitary executive? In this episode of BRI’s Primary Source Close Reads, Kirk looks at Federalist 70 and the debate between adopting a singular or plural executive. How does Publius argue that unity and energy are embodied in a unitary executive? How does the role of disagreement differ between the legislature and the executive?