# The Same Subject Continued (The Insufficiency of the Present Confederation to Preserve the Union) explained — The Federalist Papers > Chapter companion for The Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton. ## What happens Madison and Hamilton continue their examination of the inadequacy of the current Confederation by analyzing the Dutch United Provinces as a historical example. They detail the structure of the Belgic confederacy, highlighting its theoretical powers but practical failures, including imbecility, discord, foreign influence, and the need for coercion to collect contributions. The authors conclude that a confederacy of sovereign states is a 'solecism in theory' and 'subversive of the order and ends of civil polity,' using this case to argue for a stronger national government. ## Themes in this chapter ### Federalism and the Necessity of Union The chapter uses the Dutch example to argue that a confederacy of sovereign states is inherently weak and prone to dissolution, reinforcing the need for a stronger federal union. ### Control of Faction and Majority Tyranny The discord among Dutch provinces and the need for coercion to enforce contributions illustrate the dangers of faction and the failure of a weak confederacy to maintain order. ### Human Nature and the Capacity for Self-Government The chapter reflects on the selfish passions and adverse opinions that lead to calamities, suggesting that a well-constructed government is necessary to channel human nature toward public good. ## Character check-ins ### Publius The collective author presenting the argument against the insufficiency of the Confederation. ### James Madison Co-author of this paper, providing the detailed analysis of the Dutch confederacy. ### Alexander Hamilton Co-author of this paper, contributing to the argument for a stronger union. ### The Amphictyons Referenced as a historical example of a confederacy, though not detailed in this excerpt. ### The Achaeans Referenced as a historical example of a confederacy, though not detailed in this excerpt. ## Key lines > Experience is the oracle of truth; and where its responses are unequivocal, they ought to be conclusive and sacred. Historical experience is the ultimate source of reliable knowledge, and when it speaks clearly, its lessons should be accepted as final and binding. _Madison emphasizes the authority of historical precedent in political reasoning._ > a sovereignty over sovereigns, a government over governments, a legislation for communities, as contradistinguished from individuals, as it is a solecism in theory, so in practice it is subversive of the order and ends of civil polity A system where a central government claims authority over separate sovereign states, rather than directly over individuals, is not only logically absurd but also practically destructive to the purpose of political order. _This is a key argument against the Articles of Confederation, advocating for a national government that operates directly on citizens._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters/xx-the-same-subject-continued-the-insufficiency-of-the-present-confederation-to-preserve-the-union - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_federalist_papers_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_federalist_papers_se/chapters