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In most of his rhetoric, Madison forcefully rejected the possibility that the national government would encroach on the state governments by constructing a theory of self-regulating federalism. Madison and his colleagues often tried to deflect concerns that the national government would trespass on the rights of states and citizens by suggesting that the national government would have little opportunity or motivation to do so. Writing long before the welfare state was imagined, Madison and Hamilton both argued that the national government was needed primarily to promote the defense of the union, while normal police powers and day-to-day government functions would be performed by the states. The Federalist Papers also provide the first specific mention we have in political literature of the idea of checks and balances as a way of restricting governmental power and preventing its abuse. The words are used mainly in reference to the bicameral legislature, which both Hamilton and Madison regarded as the most powerful branch of government.
As originally conceived, the presumably impetuous, popularly elected House of Representatives would be checked and balanced by a more conservative Senate chosen by state legislatures. (The 17 th Amendment, added in 1913, changed this provision to mandate the popular election of senators. ) On one occasion, however, Madison argued more generally that "office should check office, " and Hamilton observed "A democratic assembly is to be checked by a democratic senate and both these by a democratic chief magistrate. " There can be noted differences between to the two authors in the Fed Papers, but overall they remain the greatest exertion of writing in politics in American history, if Hamilton did not like the proposed government, he admitted it, and in patriotic fashion went on to defend it brilliantly, and was the key speaker at the New York ratifying Convention in 1788. The dilemma between the two came when they started putting this Government into practice. Madison was Representative, and Hamilton was Secretary of the Treasury. Hamilton's first proposal, paying off the debts, agreed by both as a great idea, included some of Hamilton's friends buying soldiers debt at a discount, and making a financial killing, the Madison idea was discrimination, which gave those who fought the revolution some more money out the deal. Some of the soldiers had to sell to survive since war salaries were not paid for the period of 1781 to 1787. They split there, Hamilton never figured out why, he even claimed Madison had abandoned him.
Next debts were to be reimbursed as of a current day, well as lost out there due to their paying off their debt, while M. made out because they never paid off anything. The Madisonian model makes the President part of the separation of powers and checks and balances system. Congress is the most powerful branch of the government, it represents and acts in the name of popular sovereignty. Congress makes the laws and the President executes them. At best the President is a coequal branch of the government with Congress.
The Hamiltonian model is the imperial presidency. Clinton Rossiter's view of the presidency is Hamiltonian. The President's constitutional prerogative powers make him Chief Executive, Chief Administrator, Commander-in-Chief, Chief-of-State, Chief Diplomat, and Chief Legislator (contrast Madison's view). The President leads, and Congress follows. The presidency is ascendant. The Constitution supports both Madison and Hamilton.
Informal political forces determine which model is followed. War and depression create political demands for the imperial presidency. Resurgent pluralism during times of relative economic and political tranquility support Madison's presidency. I am prone to Madison, I have studied him quite awhile, yet Hamilton had integrity, his vision fit the economic bill very well. When it comes down to Constitutional exegesis I would follow Madison first, although I disagree with Hamilton's visions I still admire his brilliance, he did an amazing establishing the financial recovery of the Sates after the Government got going. It came down to this, pliant constructional construction, and strong central government, for Hamilton, Madison wanted a strong, yet limited government, exacting Constitutional reading.
Hamilton put his appeal to the propitious, Madison to the people.
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Research essay sample on Checks And Balances Imperial Presidency
