Federalist Papers Regarding Electoral College

Federalist Papers Regarding Electoral CollegeThe Federalist Papers regarding electoral college is essential reading material for all scholars and political writers who are interested in understanding the constitution and the functioning of the US political system. These papers provide deep insight into the political and social context of the time and can help one gain insight into the past as well as helping in the future by charting the future course of democratic governance.The Federalist Papers were written to oppose the growing influence of the 'country gentleman' in the American polity. They dealt with the issue of balancing the power between the legislative and executive branches of the Federal government. The roles of the legislature and the judiciary was also discussed in these papers.The Federalist Papers regarding electoral college is divided into three sections. In the first section, 'A Theory of Election,' Alexander Hamilton presented his famous essay. He outlined the bas ic characteristics of a constitution and outlined the major structures of the government. According to him, two branches of the government are needed to prevent any improper influence from an elected leader on the executive branch.The second section of the same paper dealt with creating an additional branch of government called the Legislative. This branch was to be headed by a president, whose decisions would be subject to the approval of the legislature. Hamilton thought that in such a situation, the members of the Legislative would lose their independence and become bound to the policies and ideas advocated by the president.The third section dealt with the Executive and the role of this office in the polity. It is here that the Federalist Papers regarding electoral college read their most fascinating and critical part.In his Essay on the Executive Magistracy, James Madison defined the executive branch as one that is accountable to no other branch. According to him, the executive must be independent and must be above the control of the legislature. The executive was to be tasked with implementing policies within the framework of the constitution and the laws passed by the legislature. There must be an end to the power of the legislature to review the actions of the executive and to override or alter them.According to Madison, in the absence of a body or a branch of power which is independent, the will of the majority would rule and the minority would be powerless. He insisted that the legislative branch must be given complete power over the executive branch because in a democracy, laws should be enacted by the legislative branch. The executive branch should be answerable to the legislative branch for its actions and not to the other branch.The Federalist Papers regarding electoral college should be part of all those writing about American political history. Reading these papers should help them understand and analyze the role of these articles in the making of the nation.