If I haven't mentioned this already, these written assignments are the "critical thinking" part of the classwork, or the closest I come to it anyway. I want to see some evidence that you are able to pick out and evaluate arguments, and why not use arguments central to the founding of the American republic? Here is a random website that discusses arguments, maybe it will help you.
People who got A's gave me lengthy work that clearly articulated the argument in the respective fed and antifed papers. Since I gave you a head start last time, here are a few notes on each to get you going.
8: Publius predicts an eventual war between the states if the constitution is not ratified. The states would grow jealous of each other and begin to form arguments. War increase the power of the executive branch, so we will eventually see despotic governments evolve in the states. The Federal Republican does not directly address Publius’ comments, but makes general comments about the consequences of giving power to the national government. Individual liberty will suffer.
9: Publius compares the likely state of the nation under the articles of confederation to the relationships between the city a states in Italy where government vacillated between tyranny and anarchy, neither conducive to civil liberty. The very concept of civil liberty becomes denigrated in that situation. The refinement of the science of government, the concepts of balanced and separated powers minimize the possibility of tyranny under the constitution. Montezuma adopts a mocking tone aimed at demonstrating that the checks and balances which publius states will negate the ability of the national government to become tyrannical is actually intended to limit the ability of the lower classes to participate in government.
9: Publius compares the likely state of the nation under the articles of confederation to the relationships between the city a states in Italy where government vacillated between tyranny and anarchy, neither conducive to civil liberty. The very concept of civil liberty becomes denigrated in that situation. The refinement of the science of government, the concepts of balanced and separated powers minimize the possibility of tyranny under the constitution. Montezuma adopts a mocking tone aimed at demonstrating that the checks and balances which publius states will negate the ability of the national government to become tyrannical is actually intended to limit the ability of the lower classes to participate in government.
10: In perhaps the most important of the Federalist Papers, Publius states that the republicans system of government will minimize the tendency of majority factions to form and tyrannize unpopular minorities. A farmer clarifies Publius’ analysis of the divisions in society and seems to reject the idea that people are naturally wicked, weak maybe, but not wicked.
72: Publius details the reasons why it is unwise to put a limit on the amount of time someone can be president. Republicus is not convinced that the mode of selection will not led someone to be established in office who will then abuse power once there and attempt to turn the office into a hereditary monarchy.
73: Publius and William Penn separately discuss the power in the executive, specifically its relationship with the legislative branch. Publius wants to ensure that the legislative power will not intrude on the executive because that would lead to the development of a tyranny. Penn compares the design of the separated powers across the different states.
The links and due dates are on the syllabi. Feel free to bring up any of this in class.
The links and due dates are on the syllabi. Feel free to bring up any of this in class.
