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Federalist No. 84
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
In the final paper of the series, Alexander Hamilton makes a last argument in favor of ratifying the Constitution, writing that while it may not be perfect, it is the best framework available for unifying and governing the country. He reminds readers that the Constitution includes an amendment process, meaning any flaws can be corrected over time. Refusing to ratify it out of fear of potential imperfections, he argues, would leave the nation weak and divided. Hamilton also warns against delaying ratification, as continued uncertainty would leave the country vulnerable to foreign threats and domestic instability. He concludes by calling on American voters to support the Constitution, not as an idealized document but as a practical foundation for a strong and lasting government. With the checks and balances in place, he believes the system will evolve to meet the needs of the people while preserving liberty and national unity.
Here, Hamilton brings the series of papers to a strategic close by framing the Constitution as a living framework designed for practical governance and future refinement. This final essay ties together the recurring Federalist ideals of pragmatism, adaptability, and institutional balance, reinforcing the idea that political stability hinges not on unattainable perfection but on a system capable of self-correction. By emphasizing the amendment process, Hamilton addresses anti-Federalist fears of governmental overreach and irreversible errors, presenting the Constitution as both strong and flexible—a safeguard against tyranny that remains open to improvement. Politically, this final argument speaks directly to a post-Revolutionary America wary of centralized power but hindered by the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
Themes
