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Federalist No. 67
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Federalist Papers, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
The Importance of the Constitution
The Necessity of a Strong Union
Leadership and Representation
Checks and Balances
Federal Power vs. States Rights
Summary
Analysis
Alexander Hamilton explains the purpose of the Electoral College, arguing that it provides a stable and fair method for selecting the president. He describes it as a system that balances popular participation with a safeguard against manipulation or mob rule. Rather than allowing direct election by the public, the Electoral College ensures that informed individuals—electors—cast votes on behalf of the people. This process reduces the risk of foreign influence, corruption, or the election of unqualified candidates driven by temporary public passions. Hamilton emphasizes that electors are chosen by the people, ensuring that the system remains democratic while adding a layer of security. He also reassures critics that the Electoral College prevents any single faction from dominating presidential elections, as state-based voting ensures broad national support for the winning candidate. The system, he says, is designed to produce capable leaders while maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.
Hamilton’s defense of the Electoral College is part of his broader concern with insulating the presidential selection process from manipulation and factionalism. By placing a layer of electors between the public and the final vote, he designs a system that channels popular will through an intermediary filter, aiming to reduce the influence of demagoguery and foreign interference. At the same time, Hamilton frames the Electoral College as a safeguard against both corruption and the concentration of power, ensuring that no single faction can dominate the presidential selection process. By decentralizing the appointment of electors across the states and limiting the role of Congress, the system creates multiple points of resistance to coordinated manipulation.
Themes
