The Federalist Papers · Chapter
XXXIX: The Conformity of the Plan to Republican Principles explained
Madison examines whether the proposed Constitution conforms to republican principles, defining a republic as a government deriving its powers from the people and administered by officials with limited tenures.
What happens
Madison examines whether the proposed Constitution conforms to republican principles, defining a republic as a government deriving its powers from the people and administered by officials with limited tenures. He argues that the Constitution meets this standard, with the House elected directly by the people, the Senate and President chosen indirectly, and judges serving during good behavior. He then analyzes the Constitution's mixed federal and national character across five relations: foundation, sources of power, operation, extent of powers, and amendment process, concluding it is a composite of both.
Themes in this chapter
Republican Government and Representation
Madison defines a republic as a government deriving all powers from the people, with officials holding office for limited terms or during good behavior, and argues the Constitution meets this standard.
Federalism and the Necessity of Union
Madison analyzes the Constitution's mixed federal and national character across five relations, showing it is a composite that preserves state sovereignty while establishing a national government.
Constitutional Interpretation and Authority
The essay examines the amendment process and the role of a tribunal to resolve jurisdictional disputes, emphasizing the Constitution's authority as a binding compact.
Characters to notice
- Publius
Author of the essay, presenting the argument for the Constitution's republican conformity.
- James Madison
Primary author of Federalist No. 39, writing as Publius to defend the Constitution.
- Congress
Mentioned as the existing body from which the Senate's indirect appointment is modeled.
- The Senate
Discussed as deriving powers from states as coequal societies, representing the federal aspect.
Key passages
“The first question that offers itself is, whether the general form and aspect of the government be strictly republican.”
The initial issue to consider is whether the overall structure of the proposed government is truly republican.
Madison sets up the central inquiry of the essay.
“It is evident that no other form would be reconcilable with the genius of the people of America; with the fundamental principles of the Revolution; or with that honorable determination which animates every votary of freedom, to rest all our political experiments on the capacity of mankind for self-government.”
Clearly, no other form of government would match the American character, the Revolution's principles, or the commitment to base political systems on people's ability to govern themselves.
Madison grounds the republican requirement in American identity and revolutionary ideals.
“The proposed Constitution, therefore, is, in strictness, neither a national nor a federal Constitution, but a composition of both.”
Thus, the proposed Constitution is precisely neither purely national nor purely federal, but a blend of both.
Madison's key conclusion on the mixed nature of the Constitution.