Administration Quote by Alexander Hamilton
“It may be laid down as a general rule, that their confidence in and obedience to a government, will be commonly proportioned to the goodness or badness of its administration . . . . Various reasons have been suggested in the course of these papers, to induce a probability that the general government will be better administered than the particular governments.”
About This Quote
Source The Federalist Papers, No. 78, 1788
People trust government when it acts justly; good administration fosters confidence and obedience.
In simple terms: Good government earns public trust.
Key Takeaway
Promote fairness to build legitimacy.
Themes
governance
trust
legitimacy
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- policy reform
- public communication
- institutional accountability
Key Concepts
political theory
public administration
Questions to Reflect On
- What measures ensure government fairness?
- How can citizens hold leaders accountable?
A Different Perspective
Trust can be fragile if expectations aren’t met.
![“[W]ar is a question, under our constitution, not of Executive, but of Legislative cognizance. It belongs to Congress to say whether the Nation shall of choice dismiss the olive branch and unfurl the banners of War.” quote by Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bd8/alexander-hamilton-619_banner_w-ar-is-a-question-under-our-constitutio_33383.jpg)
![“It is one thing to be subordinate to the laws, and another [for the Executive] to be dependent on the legislative body. The first comports with, the last violates, the fundamental principles of good government; and, whatever may be the forms of the Constitution, unites all power in the same hands.” quote by Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/be4/alexander-hamilton-619_body_it-is-one-thing-to-be-subordinate-to-the_129196.jpg)
