A Better Way Articles too weak Why the Articles of Confederation failed

Summis:

Why the Federalist could win enough support

The Articles of Confederations were too weak for the

collective needs of our States. Under the Articles, there

was a weak central government that could not do

much. Congress could not tax or regulate commerce

among the States. There was no common currency.

Each State had only one vote, regardless of State size

and population. Under the Articles, there was no

executive and judicial branch. All these reasons

combined stymied commerce and economic growth. In

addition, the Articles did not allow for a strong

national defense against invasion, and often, Congress

was inefficient.

The Federalists might be on to something good. The Federalists seek support for a new system of government; a system of checks and balances and stronger central government, while still keeping the power in the peoples’ and states’ hands. The federalist essays, while the authors remain anonymous, provide examples of why a new Constitution might be beneficial to the States.

June 15, 1788 Friday

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For one, under the Articles, we have no executive and

no judiciary. As stated in the Federalist #78, the power

of sword (executive) and purse (legislative) can only be

truly balanced once the judiciary comes into existence.

The judiciary can deem acts of the executive or

legislative branch “void” (judicial review) when they are

not acting in accordance to the Constitution.

The Articles were doomed from the started because the

government did not have the power to tax; but also, the

central government was not strong enough. Look at

Shay’s Rebellion, it shows that a strong government is

needed to stop events like this. I agree with the writers

of the Federalist Papers, that the nature of man will

always cause problems, whether it is due to greed or

selfishness.

There are classical liberal concerns and classical

republican concerns. Each ends of the spectrum either

results in anarchy or a police state. The new

Constitution appears like it will balance these two

concerns, to promote the common good, while always

putting individual rights in the forefront of importance.

These are just a few benefits that will come from

ratifying the new, upcoming Constitution.

Interesting facts from today:

- A pound of coffee is 40-80 cents, depending on the coffee beans - A fast, healthy horse on a good road can travel roughly 50 miles in one day - A wagon or coach can cover roughly 12-20 miles in one day.