Federalist 51 vs Anti Federalist Number 46

Federalist 51:

Federalist 51 explains the system of checks and balances that is put in place by the constitution in order to not grant any one person, group, or government entity too much power over another. Madison elaborates that by dividing the centralized government into three sperate branches, this ensures that not one branch will have too much power over another, while also keeping each branch accountable. Madison elaborates that "But the great security against a gradual concentration of the several powers in the same department, consists in giving to those who administer each department the necessary constitutional means and personal motives to resist encroachments of the others" (Madison, 1788). Madison is dictating that each branch has the power and constitutional rights to protect themselves from other branches stepping on their toes.

Anti Federalist Paper 46

In this Anti Federalist paper written by "An old Whig", the author discussed the threat of Congress in the checks and balance system. The author states that the checks and balance system in the new constitution, could be potentially dangerous, much like Brutus discussed, this central government could be overbearing and take away rights. This author particularly discusses how the central government under the new constitution could easily overpower state authority and this would ultimately infringe on individual liberties and rights. Furthermore, the author discussed that the central governments authority to create a "standing army" could be used to enforce federal laws and, again, take away state and indivual rights by doing so. Finally, the author is clearly skeptikal about the amount of power the federal government is given, specifically with not having enough checks on it.

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The Constitution:

In federalist 51, Madison explains the checks and balances laid out in the constitution, this is countered by skepticism from anti federalist written in Anti Federalist Paper 46 on these checks and balances. In the ratification of the constitution, these checks and balances are evident and demonstrate how federal power is not abused. However, Madison's argument in Federalist 51 is simply discussing why these checks and balances are necessary, rather than being an influential work of writing at the time for the ratification of the constitution. This is further proof how the federalist papers were not particularly significant to the ratification of the constitution itself, rather explaining why it was written the way it was.

1. The Avalon Project : Federalist no 51. (n.d.). https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/fed51.asp

Antifederalist no. 46. (n.d.).

http://resources.utulsa.edu/law/classes/rice/Constitutional/AntiFederalist/46.htm