Locke, Hobbes, And The Federalist Papers

Jay, Madison, Hamilton wrote the Federalist Papers to persuade the states to ratify and defend the U.S. Constitution. Many times, the Founding Fathers’ words echoed the 17th-century authors Thomas Hobbes or John Locke. Federalist #10-51 and #78 all bear a similarity to one or both of the above philosophers. Many essays in the Federalist Papers were influenced in some way by these gentlemen and their works.

Federalist #10 is James Madison’s address to the problem and inability of dissolving these factions. He writes that it is impossible to disband factions without taking away liberty. Thus, it is best to take control of the factions and attempt their control. This view of “state-of-nature” is very similar. Madison says that a society with many factions will likely run wild and rampant, as in Leviathan. Madison claims that factions are created to unite people who share similar passions and ideas, and allow them to fight for what they believe is wrong. This leads to animosity and war between groups. Hobbes explains that factions are created to allow people to share the same passions or ideas. But this liberty cannot be taken away. Madison supports Locke’s grant of all “natural rights”, including “life, health and liberty” and “possessions”. Madison also agrees. These “natural rights” are subject to debate. Madison’s answer is similar to Locke’s: a representative government. A government that is influenced by its leaders. Madison also suggests that the government must include a large number people to make it less likely that one group will infringe on the rights and freedoms of other citizens. Madison’s Federalist #11 and Locke’s Two Treatises of Government #2 agree that there will be factions, or groups, in the natural order. To control them, a representative body is necessary.

Federalist #51 outlines the need to separate power among different branches of government in order to prevent one group from rising up and gaining total control. Madison says that it is possible to “construct the interior structure” of the government in such a way that all its parts can, by their mutual relationships, keep each other in their proper place. Locke similarly suggests that the government only has the powers that people give it. Locke provides the freedom for the people to rebel against the government if it violates the social contract. This eliminates the possibility of one group rising up by giving the government power but not allowing it to take control of the rest.

Alexander Hamilton wrote Federalist #78. This Federalist discusses how the judiciary functions and why it is necessary to be separate from legislative and executive branches. Locke supports the creation of a judiciary branch. “Those who can unite and have a common legal system and judicature to turn to, with the power to adjudicate controversies and punish offenders, will be in civil society. But those who do not have this common appeal, I’m referring to the earthly, are still living in the state that nature intended. Hamilton considers the judicial branches relatively harmless. Hamilton believes that the judiciary branch is the weakest, as it cannot “attack either of the two.” Hamilton also proposes that the Constitution’s foundation will be made up of the judicial and executive branches. The courts have the power to declare legislation and executive acts unconstitutional. They can also check the other branches. This proposal would conform to Locke’s principle of spreading power in order limit factions. Hobbes would support a separate judiciary. Hobbes asserts that “He therefore who is partial to judgment, doth whatever in him lies against men from the use judges and arbitrators; and consequently is the cause of warfare.” Since man’s nature is greedy, selfish and cruel, it is virtually impossible to have an impartial judge. Locke’s separate powers, however, defeats this argument.

The influence of Locke and Hobbes is evident in each essay from The Federalist Papers. Madison, Jay, Hamilton, and Jay saw the nature of things differently and found ways that they could improve Hobbes’ “poor”, nasty, brutish, or short life. They also incorporated some Locke ideas to end the natural state. The Founding Fathers established a government that is independent of the judiciary, spreads power and limits factions.

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  • valentinomcintyre

    Valentino McIntyre is a 39-year-old blogger and schoolteacher from the United States. He is a dedicated father and husband and has been married to his wife for over 10 years. Valentino has a vast amount of experience in the education field, having worked as a teacher for over 15 years. He is a prolific writer and has been blogging for over 10 years. His blog is a source of information and inspiration for parents and educators.