Every power vested in a government is in its nature sovereign, and includes by force of the term a right to employ all the means requisite...to the attainment of the ends of such power.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Any power given to a government inherently includes the right to use all necessary means to achieve its purposes.
- In plain terms
- Government power includes the right to do whatever is needed to get its job done.
- What can you take from it?
- Sovereign power implies the right to necessary means.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Where should government power end?
- Who decides what means are necessary?
Another view
This logic can justify overreach if 'necessary' is interpreted too broadly.
More from Alexander Hamilton
Here, sir, the people govern; here they act by their immediate representatives.
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Permalink to quote #6 It has been observed that a pure democracy if it were practicable would be the most perfect government. Experience has proved that no position is more false th…
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