The Federalist Papers, Federalist No. 55 summary
Federalist No. 55 of 85 · 8 min to read the paper
In Federalist No. 55, Publius defends the House’s proposed initial size by arguing that larger assemblies are not automatically safer and that elections and constitutional restraints protect liberty. He supports this defense with projected growth, the Revolutionary Congress’s record, and limits on appointments, while insisting that republican government requires some trust in people.
What happens
- Publius lists four objections concerning the House’s size, local knowledge, social character, and growth alongside the population.
- Comparisons among state assemblies show that no single numerical ratio determines a legislature’s proper size.
- He argues that assemblies need enough members for debate but not so many that passion overwhelms reason.
- He describes an initial House of sixty-five members and projects expansion through population growth and repeated censuses.
- He cites elections, state oversight, and the Revolutionary Congress’s integrity against fears of betrayal.
- He explains restrictions on congressional appointments and argues that excessive distrust undermines the case for self-government.
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What restriction limits the use of civil offices to corrupt members of Congress?
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“The Federalist Papers, Federalist No. 55 summary.” Library of Alexandria, 2026, libraryofalexandria.com/pages/the-federalist-papers-paper-55-summary.
Library of Alexandria. (2026). The Federalist Papers, Federalist No. 55 summary. https://libraryofalexandria.com/pages/the-federalist-papers-paper-55-summary
“The Federalist Papers, Federalist No. 55 summary.” Library of Alexandria, 2026. https://libraryofalexandria.com/pages/the-federalist-papers-paper-55-summary.
@misc{the_federalist_papers_paper_55_summary_2026,
title = {The Federalist Papers, Federalist No. 55 summary},
publisher = {Library of Alexandria},
year = {2026},
url = {https://libraryofalexandria.com/pages/the-federalist-papers-paper-55-summary}
}
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