America Quote by James Madison
“Each State, in ratifying the Constitution, is considered as a sovereign body, independent of all others, and only to be bound by its own voluntary act. In this relation, then, the new Constitution will, if established, be a FEDERAL, and not a NATIONAL constitution.”
About This Quote
Source Document: The Federalist Papers, No. 39, 1788
The Constitution should bind states voluntarily, preserving sovereignty while forming a federal union.
In simple terms: Federalism balances state independence with national unity.
Key Takeaway
Support a federal system that respects state autonomy.
Themes
government
sovereignty
federalism
constitution
Mood
analytical
historical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- legislative drafting
- constitutional debate
- policy making
Key Concepts
political theory
law
state rights
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the limits of state sovereignty?
- How does federalism affect national policy?
A Different Perspective
Balancing national coherence with state diversity is complex.
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