Introduction: Why One President?

Welcome to one of the most important debates in American history! When the Founders were writing the Constitution, they had a big problem to solve: how do we create a leader who is powerful enough to get things done but not so powerful that they become a king? In Federalist No. 70, titled "The Executive Department Further Considered," Alexander Hamilton argues that the best way to handle this is to have a single, powerful leader (a "unitary executive") rather than a committee or a group of leaders. If you’ve ever tried to pick a movie to watch with five friends and it took two hours just to decide, you already understand Hamilton’s main point!

The Big Idea: Energy in the Executive

Hamilton’s favorite word in this document is "energy." He argues that "energy in the executive is a leading character in the definition of good government." But what does he mean by "energy"? In this context, energy doesn't mean a President who runs marathons; it means a President who can act quickly, decisively, and effectively.

Why is "Energy" Necessary?

Hamilton argues that a government needs an energetic executive to: - Protect the nation against foreign attacks. - Ensure the steady administration of laws. - Protect property and liberty against riots or "factions" (groups trying to take over). Key Takeaway: According to Hamilton, a weak executive leads to a weak government, and a weak government is just a "bad government."

Unitary vs. Plural: One Leader or Many?

Some of the Anti-Federalists (who opposed the Constitution) wanted a plural executive—which means having two or more people share the job of President. They thought this would prevent one person from becoming too powerful. Hamilton strongly disagreed. He argued that having more than one leader would actually weaken the government for two main reasons:

1. The Need for Speed and Decisiveness

In the Legislative Branch (Congress), Hamilton says it is actually good for things to move slowly. We want Congress to debate, disagree, and compromise so they don't pass bad laws too quickly. However, the Executive Branch is different. In an emergency or a war, the President needs to act immediately. If two or three people have to argue and vote before making a move, the country could be in danger.

2. The Problem of Accountability

This is Hamilton’s "secret weapon" argument. He says that if you have a group of leaders, it is much harder to know who to blame when something goes wrong. - If a committee makes a mistake, they can point fingers at each other. - If a single President makes a mistake, there is nowhere to hide. Analogy: Imagine a group project where no one is the leader. If the project gets an "F," everyone blames someone else. But if you are the only person doing the project, you are 100% responsible for the grade. Hamilton argued that a single President is actually easier to control because the public knows exactly who to hold accountable at the next election.

The Ingredients for an "Energetic" Executive

Hamilton lists four ingredients that make a President "energetic": 1. Unity: Having just one person in charge. 2. Duration: A term of office long enough to get things done. 3. Adequate Provision for Support: A salary that prevents the President from being corrupted. 4. Competent Powers: Enough constitutional power to actually lead.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

- Thinking Hamilton wanted a King: Hamilton wasn't arguing for a dictator. He believed that while the President should be powerful, they must still be accountable to the people and checked by the other branches. - Confusing the Branches: Remember, Hamilton says Congress should be slow and deliberate, but the President should be fast and energetic.

Quick Review: The "Why a Single President?" Checklist

If you are writing an Argument Essay (Free-Response Question 4), you can use Federalist No. 70 to support the idea of a strong federal government. Here is the "cheat sheet" for your evidence: - Unity = Speed and decisiveness (especially in emergencies). - Responsibility = It's easier to blame/fire one person than a group. - Conflict = Multiple leaders lead to "animosity" and "bitter dissensions" that slow down the government.

Did You Know?

Hamilton’s argument was so successful that the United States has one of the few presidential systems in the world where the executive power is held entirely by one person. In many other countries (like the UK), the executive power is shared by a Cabinet or a Prime Minister who must answer to a Parliament. Final Key Takeaway: Federalist No. 70 argues that a unitary executive is necessary to ensure accountability to the people and to provide the energy needed to protect the nation. Note: For more on how this relates to the other branches, see the chapters on Federalist No. 51 (Checks and Balances) and Federalist No. 78 (The Judiciary).