The Federalist Papers, Federalist No. 47 summary
Federalist No. 47 of 85 · 11 min to read the paper
In Federalist No. 47, Madison answers the claim that the proposed Constitution endangers liberty by mixing legislative, executive, and judicial powers, arguing that separation does not require complete isolation. He reads Montesquieu through British institutions and surveys state constitutions to distinguish limited overlap from the concentration of whole departments in the same hands.
What happens
- Madison presents the objection that the proposed Constitution mixes governmental powers and accepts that concentrating all three powers constitutes tyranny.
- He identifies Montesquieu as the chief authority on separation and examines the British system that informs his principle.
- British institutions show that departments can share limited functions without one controlling another department’s entire power.
- Madison surveys state constitutions, finding overlapping powers even where declarations demand strict separation.
- He rejects the objection’s interpretation without defending every state arrangement, acknowledging excessive mixing and weak practical safeguards.
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Why does Madison examine the British Constitution when explaining Montesquieu?
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