The Easy Federalist

The Federalist 14:

Written by James Madison

We have seen the necessity of the union for protecting us from foreign danger, preserving internal peace, and protecting commerce. 

We will counter the objection that the size of our country makes republican government unwieldy.

One of the common errors of logic here is confusing a republic with a democracy and applying features of the latter to the former. For example, some have tried to highlight the problems with republics by citing the turbulent democracies of ancient Greece and modern Italy.

Democracies administer government in person; republics they assemble via representatives. A democracy, consequently, must be confined to a small spot. A republic may extend over a large region.

Most of the old popular governments were democracies. America exists now as various unmixed republics.

It would be sad if any American citizen would deprive America of the full efficacy of the republican system she now uses.

In a democracy, the limit on size is on how far from a central point will citizens be able to muster. In a republic, it is how far from a central point will representatives be able to muster. It is clear that America is not too big to support a republic, as thirteen states have met almost continuously across the Atlantic coast, the union’s longest border.

• Discussion: How does the internet’s ability to allow us to communicate at any distance change how countries can be formed? Could we have countries form where its citizens are dispersed between continents? How much does physical location matter?

North to South the union’s average distance is 868 miles. East to West the distance does not exceed 750 miles. It is not a great deal larger than Germany or old Poland.

We should remember that the general government should not have all the power to legislate and execute laws, its jurisdiction is limited to certain objects which concern all members of the republic, but which are not attainable by each individually. The subordinate governments will retain their due power.

• Discussion: How does our current government compare to this original vision?

One of the aims of the federal Constitution is not just to unite the current thirteen states, but to add future states as they may join.

The union will facilitate new improvements, such as shorter roads, better lodging, and swifter communication.

Almost every state will be a frontier on some border, and thus be incentivized to contribute to national protection. While it may be hard for a state far from the center of government to send their representatives, it would be harder still to defend against an invasion.

I trust you citizens, with your good judgment. Don’t listen to the voice that says America cannot live together as members of the same family. Don’t listen to the voice that says this type of government is a novelty. The most alarming of all would be to shred a union to pieces. While we pay due regard to the past, we do not blindly venerate it at the expense of our common sense and experience. Happily, the leaders of the revolution have steered a more noble course.

---