Question

"Whoever attentively considers the different departments of power must perceive, that, in a government in which they are separated from each other, the judiciary, from the nature of its functions, will always be the least dangerous to the political rights of the Constitution; because it will be least in a capacity to annoy or injure them."
- from Federalist No. 78 (1788), Publius (Alexander Hamilton)

Based on the excerpt, what is Hamilton’s central claim about the role of the judiciary in a constitutional system of separated powers?
Responses

A The judiciary lacks direct authority to enforce political decisions.The judiciary lacks direct authority to enforce political decisions.

B The judiciary operates under oversight from elected officials.The judiciary operates under oversight from elected officials.

C The judiciary holds limited capacity to threaten civil liberties.The judiciary holds limited capacity to threaten civil liberties.

D The judiciary derives influence m

Answer 1

C

Hamilton's claim is that the judiciary, by its nature and functions, is least able to threaten or injure the political rights guaranteed by the Constitution — i.e., it has limited capacity to endanger civil/political liberties.