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About this quote

What does it mean?
Hamilton seeks a federal government that is fair and limited in power, not tyrannical.
In plain terms
We want a government that is fair and not too powerful.
What can you take from it?
Advocate for limited government that balances power with liberty.

Where it applies

  • constitutional design
  • policy advocacy
  • civic debate

Putting it to work

  • supporting limited government
  • advocating federalism

Questions to consider

  • What defines a just limit on government power?
  • How do you prevent overreach without weakening effectiveness?

Another view

Limited government may struggle to address complex modern problems requiring intervention.

More from Alexander Hamilton

  1. It will be of little avail to the people that the laws are made by men of their own choice if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoher…

    Permalink to quote #49
  2. Justice is the end of government. It is the end of civil society. It ever has been and ever will be pursued until it be obtained, or until liberty be lost in t…

    Permalink to quote #51
  3. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men the great difficulty lies in this: You must first enable the government to control the gove…

    Permalink to quote #48

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