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About this quote

What does it mean?
The militia is temporary and state-controlled, whereas a standing army is permanent and federal.
In plain terms
Volunteer militias differ from permanent national armies.
What can you take from it?
Distinguish between temporary local forces and permanent national ones.

Where it applies

  • constitutional debates
  • defense policy
  • state vs federal

Putting it to work

  • define militia roles clearly
  • separate standing army commands

Questions to consider

  • Who should control defense?
  • Is a permanent army necessary?

Another view

Modern conflicts often blur the line between militia and regular troops.

More from Alexander Hamilton

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  3. Why has government been instituted at all? Because the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice, without constraint.

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