The Federalist Papers - Best and Worst Book by John C. Calhoun

The Federalist Papers - Best and Worst Book by John C. CalhounThe books The Federalist Papers: Best and Worst is a book of reference material written by John C. Calhoun. It is a high end paperback published by Publish America Press and published by Little Brown and Company. This book contains volumes of the Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton.'If men were angels and endowed with perfect wisdom, nothing could prevent their electing Demosthenes to the Presidency because he was a man of genius and possessed the merit of a victory over his rival; but if men were devils and possessed no virtue, nothing could prevent them from electing a man who had never been known to exercise any degree of virtue or discretion.' 'Then he might be counted a Diabolus, who could do as he pleased, and there was danger that he might be allowed to assemble a body of his own party, and from that moment promote measures which they did not approve.' Alexander Hamilton, Federalist 10In addition to the two essa ys by Hamilton, the book contains a biographical essay of Aaron Burr on his success in winning his political aspirations, a concise essay on presidential elections by E.L. Godkin, and a brief analysis on the future of the electoral college. The author is quick to point out that the opinions expressed in the Federalist Papers are merely his own and not necessarily those of the other founding fathers. However, the idea that we elect presidents based on virtue, honor, and the merit of their accomplishments and not based on political charisma, is reminiscent of what many of them thought of democracy.The fact that we elect our president based on the merit of their accomplishments is proven true in our system, and that is why the system in place today is needed in order to preserve the best and worst qualities of our people. The Electoral College serves this purpose by ensuring that those in the Electoral College are usually three-fourths of the population of the state or districts where they reside. Thus, an Alaskan resident could not vote for the next president because they are not a part of the state's population.However, an Alaskan resident could vote for the next president if they reside in any district which consists of more than three-fourths of the State's population. So, why are these opinions in opposition to each other? Because Alexander Hamilton is upset with the fact that electors from the Southern states were allowed to vote in the election. He fears that these Southern electors would not vote for candidates based on their electoral states or districts, or they would not always vote according to their national party preference.'Where the people are allowed to vote, the most enlightened part of the community will generally fall into the hands of the minority.' 'It is observed by some that the difficulties and embarrassments attending the government of a republic arise from the inequality of representation.'It is impossible for a majority of the people o f a nation to possess the knowledge and the confidence necessary to the management of it. It is necessary therefore that the whole nation should be informed and possessed of that confidence, in order to make a well ordered republic.'It is evident therefore that the best security against the accumulation of wealth and power, and the abuse of power, are to provide against their knowledge and dependence. To provide for the free communication of information by the whole American people is the only effectual safeguard against improper and unauthorized legislation.'