What is the liberty of the press? Who can give it any definition which would not leave the utmost latitude for evasion? I hold it to be impracticable; and from this, I infer, that its security, whatever fine declarations may be inserted in any constitution respecting it, must altogether depend on public opinion, and on the general spirit of the people and of the government. And here, after all, as intimated upon another occasion, must we seek for the only solid basis of all our rights.
–Alexander Hamilton, Federalist, no. 84
With which of the following statements would the author agree?
(1 point)
Responses
The protection of the people’s rights and liberty is directly related to civic virtue.
The protection of the people’s rights and liberty is directly related to civic virtue.
Rights and liberties are dependent upon their listing in a constitution or bill of rights.
Rights and liberties are dependent upon their listing in a constitution or bill of rights.
Civic virtue is not important to the protection of rights and liberties.
Civic virtue is not important to the protection of rights and liberties.
Rights and liberties cannot be protected because they cannot be defined.
1 answer
The statement with which the author would agree is:
Rights and liberties cannot be protected because they cannot be defined.
Hamilton suggests that the liberty of the press is impracticable to define and that its security depends on public opinion and the general spirit of the people, indicating that the inability to tightly define rights and liberties poses a challenge to their protection.
