2 amendment Quote by James Madison
“The ultimate authority, wherever the derivative may be found, resides in the people alone, and that it will not depend merely on the comparative ambition or address of the different governments, whether either, or which of them, will be able to enlarge its sphere of jurisdiction at the expense of the other.”
About This Quote
Source Document: The Federalist Papers, No. 10, 1787
Power ultimately belongs to the people, not to governments seeking to expand their control.
In simple terms: People hold ultimate authority.
Key Takeaway
Guard democratic rights.
Themes
democracy
political power
government limits
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- elections
- policy debates
- civil protests
Key Concepts
social contract
popular sovereignty
Questions to Reflect On
- How can citizens ensure power remains with the people?
- What mechanisms prevent governmental overreach?
A Different Perspective
Power can be concentrated despite formal limits.
![“It is not certain that with this aid alone [possession of arms], they would not be able to shake off their yokes. But were the people to posses the additional advantages of local governments chosen by themselves, who could collect the national will, and direct the national force; and of officers…” quote by James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/07a/james-madison-373_2-amendment_it-is-not-certain-that-with-this-aid-alo_1101340.jpg)
![“It is certain that every class is interested in [educational] establishments which give to the human mind its highest improvements, and to every Country its truest and most durable celebrity.” quote by James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/964/james-madison-373_certain_it-is-certain-that-every-class-is-intere_22217.jpg)
