Assignment:
Federalist 78 is part of the Federalist Paper series written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay and James Madison in defense of the US Constitution as written by the Constitutional Convention held in 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In essence, it is a persuasive essay used to convince states to ratify the Constitution. Federalist 78 specifically addresses the creation of the federal judicial branch. In particular, it describes the means of selecting judges and how long judges should remain in office.
Formatting: Double spaced, 12 Point Times New Roman Font, 1 inch margins, 2 full pages (¾ will not count), no title, name in header (no other information should be included at top of page). You may write up to 2 pages for this assignment but no more than 2 pages.
You must read your textbook and Federalist 78 to complete this assignment. Your task is to use the concepts in your book to complete this assignment. Do not use any outside sources. Only use your textbook and Federalist #78. No direct quotes from Federalist 78 or other sources are permitted.
Fully answer all questions in essay form, using complete sentences, no numbering/bullet points. Do not repeat the questions. Use correct grammar and spelling at all times.
Questions:
• For what reasons does Hamilton state that the judicial branch is the "least dangerous" branch of government?
• What are the possible effects on the judicial branch of being the "least dangerous" branch?
• Hamilton states that the judicial branch must be independent. From what, or whom, does the branch need to be independent?
• What is the main purpose of a judicial branch according to Hamilton?
• What type of judicial selection and term of office does Hamilton support? What types of judicial selection does he not support? Why?
• According to Hamilton, what are the qualifications and characteristics that judges must possess in order to do their job? Further, what type of judicial selection method does Hamilton think will produce these characteristics?