No. 51 examines the structure of the federal government, and argues for the importance of balancing power between the divisions. Some of the highlights include the notion that the legislative body is well positioned to trample the executive and judicial. We arrived at a bicameral legislature to limit the power of Congress and encourage parity among the three branches. Publius also concedes that, as a result of all our systems of checks and balances, the federal government might not actually get a whole hell of a lot done.
(You probably want to take a moment to nod in agreement)
Publius goes on to say that gridlock is palatable if it protects us from tyranny. Besides, the really important things that we all agree on should still sail through.
We are now finished with these early documents that supply us with a context for the Constitution. Next up is the Bill of Rights, and then I brief my first case.
Before we move on I have to say that I'm feeling pretty good about being an American. These days it's so easy to be frustrated with the government. It's nice to remember that the founding fathers had a pretty amazing vision for our country, and that America always has the power to change itself.
I want to leave you with a great quote from Federalist No. 51:
"In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the
great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control
the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself." ~Publius
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