---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The defect of power in the existing…"
description: "\"The defect of power in the existing confederacy, to regulate the commerce between its several members is in the number of those which have been clearly..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9de/james-madison-373_business_the-defect-of-power-in-the-existing-conf_1729312.jpg"
---

#  The defect of power in the existing confederacy, to…

![“The defect of power in the existing confederacy, to regulate the commerce between its several members is in the number of those which have been clearly pointed out by experience . . . . A very material object of this power was the relief of the States which import and export through other States…” quote by James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9de/james-madison-373_business_the-defect-of-power-in-the-existing-conf_1729312.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9de/james-madison-373_business_the-defect-of-power-in-the-existing-conf_1729312.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9de/james-madison-373_business_the-defect-of-power-in-the-existing-conf_1729312.jpg)

> “The defect of power in the existing confederacy, to regulate the commerce between its several members is in the number of those which have been clearly pointed out by experience . . . . A very material object of this power was the relief of the States which import and export through other States from the improper contributions levied on them by the latter.”

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The power to regulate interstate commerce was limited because too many states claimed authority, causing unfair taxes on trade across state lines.

**In simple terms:** Too many states regulating trade led to unfair taxes.

Key Takeaway

Simplify regulation to prevent abuse.

Themes

government trade fairness

Mood

analytical concerned

Type

political historical

When to use this quote

- state disputes
- taxation
- trade negotiations
- policy drafting

Key Concepts

federalism interstate commerce

Questions to Reflect On

- How can federal oversight respect state autonomy?
- What mechanisms ensure fair trade taxes?

A Different Perspective

Balancing state interests can hinder effective regulation.

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[Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Commerce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commerce/) [Confederacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confederacy/) [Contribution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contribution/) [Defects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defects/) [E commerce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/e-commerce/) [Imports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imports/) [Relief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relief/)

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