Question

Which of the following best describes what Hamilton means in the excerpt above when he says the judiciary has non-control over the scowrd?

a) The judiciary has limited power over the executive branch.
b) The judiciary has no authority over the military.
c) The judiciary cannot influence the legislative branch.
d) The judiciary is not responsible for the national debt

Answer 1

Alexander Hamilton meant that the judiciary has no control over the military when he referenced 'non-control over the sword', option b). The judiciary is considered the least dangerous branch of government due to its lack of enforcement power, but it holds importance with its capacity for judicial review.

Step-by-step explanation:

When Alexander Hamilton says the judiciary has non-control over the sword, he is referring to the fact that the judiciary has no authority over the military or any executive power. The correct option from the provided choices is therefore b) The judiciary has no authority over the military.

Hamilton highlights the inherent weakness but also the necessity of an independent judiciary that interprets laws without the power to enforce them. Federalist No. 78 describes this as a key reason why the judiciary is considered the least dangerous branch of government.

However, over time the judiciary, and particularly the Supreme Court, has grown in prominence due to judicial review, making it a significant check on the other branches despite its lack of enforcement capabilities.