Federalist no. 5 and 6 were both written by Alexander Hamilton. Here he discussed the context of the possibility of dissension between neighboring contiguous states - states that share the same border within a particular continent or land mass. He does not specify this quality of the state in his discussion, but he mentions neighboring states in his closing argument in Federalist no 5. And this same idea of contiguous neighboring states can be deduced from the difference between Federalist 2-5 and that of Federalist 5 and 6.
He does not directly argue here for a federation. Rather he provides arguments that: 1) states by nature have the tendency towards rivalry, competition or even aggression towards each other; and 2) there are particular reasons why a divisive attitude can exist between states in the international politics.
Thesis of Federalist no 5.
Federalist no. 5 provides Hamilton's human nature argument on the existence of the divisive trait of states. To paraphrase the main thought of Hamilton in this publication - States are rivalrous because it is governed by man, and man is rivalrous.
States go to war because of the whims of men who exercise within it. To this he mentions the story of Pericles and Wolsey. It also does not exist in one gender, Hamilton also identifies: Madame de Maintenon (due to personal bigotry), the Duchess of Marlborough (due to personal petulance), and Madame Pompadour (due to involvement with a political cabal).
Hamilton also writes here rebuttals against two existing political systems that are supposedly meant to manage such dissensions.
1) republics which supposedly is pacific (remind you of a previous political philosopher).
2) commerce - or the state being engaged in it - which can a) "soften the of manners men" (Hamilton cf: Penn State University, 2001)." and b) "extinguish enflammable humors (Ibid.)" which can lead to war. Here Hamilton points our that supposedly commerce can make citizens pacific by molding both a) habit or manners and b) emotions or humors.
Both arguments though are invalidated Hamilton by reminding the reader that Republics and Commerce engaged states are still under the government of men. Men who by nature are rivalrous. The founding father implies that these two institutions are not enough.
Thesis of Federalist no 6.
Here Hamilton enumerates the causes of dissensions among states and explains each. He also either directly links federation as a solution, or occasionally is ambiguous on it.
- Territorial, proven on the nature of american colonial territories. Hamilton directly points the importance of a federation to solve it.
- Commerce - proven based on human habit and american achievement. Ambiguous with regards to federalism.
- Payment of public debt - proven based on american colonial experience and human nature. Ambiguous.
- The effect of laws on existing private contracts - proven on american colonial experience. Federal union suppurted as Hamilton mentions have been discussed in the previous Federalist.
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For your task, I have intentionally excluded from this discussion certain facts. Which if you are reading this will raise questions. Such as who are the other two? What are american colonial expereince with regards to payment of public debt. These are just samples.
Cross reference this discussion on the reading as preparation for the quiz.
Pls. also note all other parts of animadversion.
Study well.