Publius

Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison together anonymously wrote a series of eighty-five different letters from October 27, 1787, until August 16, 1788, principally to persuade New York to ratify the U.S. Constitution. The letters were also published together in two separate volumes in 1788. These letters, collectively called The Federalist Papers, are works of political persuasion. They are also theoretical observations about the general nature of society and government. In one of the most famous of the letters, Federalist No. 51, James Madison exhibits both aspects. In terms of political persuasion, Madison attempts to convince his New York audience that separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism, which are embedded in the U.S. Constitution, make the U.S. government better. His contribution to political theory stems from his observation that politicians are human and, thus, subject to the human frailties of...