Energy In The Executive Analysis
In Federalist Papers 69 and 70, Publius takes for granted that “all men of sense will agree in the necessity of an energetic Executive” and speaks extensively on the importance of an energetic executive in maintaining an efficient government that best protects the liberties of the citizens in which it governs, thus refuting the popular notion that an active executive is incompatible with the republican form of government. Publius supports this idea throughout the papers by first pointing towards the limited power of the Executive in comparison to the king of England and the governor of New York. He uses examples such as the executive needing to be elected and the executive’s inability to make treaties without Senate approval to show that
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These are responsibilities that require expeditious decision-making, which they would not receive if left up to a council or legislative body because of their bipartisan nature that induces lengthy discussion over decisions. This is also why Publius dismisses the idea of a dual presidency because it invites conflict which hinders an executive’s ability to make swift decisions on threatening situations. According to Publius, the energy derives from “first, unity; secondly, duration; thirdly, an adequate provision for its support; fourthly, competent powers”. Publius places a special emphasis on unity because he believes that conflict cannot be associated with the executive, but also because it places full responsibility on the executive for any decisions made by the branch. Having a unified executive removes the confusion on who to blame on decisions made by the executive because there are not multiple components in the branch that would leave the public confused as to the real perpetrator of the action. The unity of the executive branch makes the president solely accountable for his actions, therefore making him vulnerable to public opinion. This supports the claim that an energetic executive is compatible with a republican government because it puts sole responsibility on the president for his actions while also giving the him the means to act on impending issues, consequently allowing him to be energetic with a sense of accountability to the
These are responsibilities that require expeditious decision-making, which they would not receive if left up to a council or legislative body because of their bipartisan nature that induces lengthy discussion over decisions. This is also why Publius dismisses the idea of a dual presidency because it invites conflict which hinders an executive’s ability to make swift decisions on threatening situations. According to Publius, the energy derives from “first, unity; secondly, duration; thirdly, an adequate provision for its support; fourthly, competent powers”. Publius places a special emphasis on unity because he believes that conflict cannot be associated with the executive, but also because it places full responsibility on the executive for any decisions made by the branch. Having a unified executive removes the confusion on who to blame on decisions made by the executive because there are not multiple components in the branch that would leave the public confused as to the real perpetrator of the action. The unity of the executive branch makes the president solely accountable for his actions, therefore making him vulnerable to public opinion. This supports the claim that an energetic executive is compatible with a republican government because it puts sole responsibility on the president for his actions while also giving the him the means to act on impending issues, consequently allowing him to be energetic with a sense of accountability to the