To what expedient then shall we finally resort, for…
“To what expedient then shall we finally resort, for maintaining in practice the necessary partition of power among the several departments, as laid down in the constitution? The only answer that can be given is, that as all these exterior provisions are found to be inadequate, the defect must be supplied, by so contriving the interior structure of the government, as that its several constituent parts may, by their mutual relations, be the means of keeping each other in their proper places.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The government must design its branches to check each other, preventing any single part from gaining too much power.
In simple terms: Checks and balances keep power balanced.
Key Takeaway
Structure institutions to limit power.
Themes
government
politics
checks and balances
constitution
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
political
theoretical
When to use this quote
- legislative drafting
- constitutional reform
- organizational governance
- policy design
Key Concepts
separation of powers
mutual restraint
institutional design
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we ensure each branch remains independent?
- What mechanisms best prevent power concentration?
A Different Perspective
If branches become too cooperative, they may fail to check each other.