Federalist 70, Student-Facing

Identify and re-word the following:

• Hamilton's claim
  • Powerful executive branch / SINGULAR leader equates to a good government
• 2 pieces of evidence that Hamilton uses to support his claim
  • “The executive branch of government must have the inherent powers to effectively accomplish its prescribed duties.” (Evidence 1: It must be powerful to do it’s job)
  • “It is essential to protect the community against foreign attacks.” (Evidence 2: Powerful executives can protect the people)

Answer the following questions about Federalist 70:

1. What does Hamilton mean by "Energy in the Executive"?
   1. I think it’s equating to “Power in the Executive” with energy being in the movement sense; more energy equates to more movement.
2. Why does Hamilton dislike the idea of a council / multiple leaders?
   1. Because multiple leaders are nothing but trouble especially from a historic lens.
3. Do you agree with Hamilton's claim and argument? Why or why not?
   1. I agree with Hamilton's claims that multiple leaders would prove troublesome but I disagree with the claim that we must have a powerful executive.
      1. For the claim on multiple leaders: There is a long history of power corrupting and fights for power. Thus it’s not unthinkable to say that to have multiple seats of high power would lead to strife internally
      2. For the claim on a powerful executive: In the American government, power is split between the 3 branches. While I agree that the executive branch must be powerful, I disagree that it must have a HIGH energy; it simply needs enough to check and balance the two other branches.