Question

Federalist 31. Does Hamilton say that the federal government is more likely to intrude on the powers of the state governments or that the state governments are more likely to intrude on the powers of the federal government? How does Hamilton explain this?

Answer 1

Alexander Hamilton in Federalist 31 argued that state governments were more likely to intrude upon federal powers. He explained that the federal system and clear constitutional boundaries would protect states' rights, in line with the Federalist belief in a balanced federal design between state and national powers.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Federalist 31, Alexander Hamilton argued against the likelihood of the federal government intruding on the powers of the state governments. Instead, he viewed it more probable that state governments would encroach upon the powers of the federal government. Hamilton explained this by asserting that the structure of the federal system and the delineation of national powers as 'few and defined,' versus the more 'numerous and indefinite' powers of the states, would naturally protect the states from encroachment.

This follows the Federalist view that a strong centralized government is necessary to maintain social stability and avoid fractions that threatened the public interest and individual rights. Nonetheless, the Federalists also recognized the importance of a federal design, which balances the distinct powers between the states and the national government, ensuring neither becomes too powerful.

Answer 2

Hamilton states that the stage government is more likely to intrude on the powers of the federal government. One reason being he was enemies with the Secretary of State at the time Thomas Jefferson and fought against the state a lot.