121 | The Federalist Papers

The Federalist Papers are a series of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay under the pseudonym 'Publius. ' These essays, published between October 1787 and May 1788, aimed to convince the public and political leaders to ratify the newly drafted US Constitution. The papers provide a comprehensive analysis of the proposed federal system, arguing for a stronger central government and the adoption of the Constitution over the existing Articles of Confederation. They discuss various aspects of republican government, including the separation of powers, checks and balances, and the protection of individual liberties. Despite their primary goal of influencing New York's ratification vote, The Federalist Papers have become a seminal work in American political philosophy and a key resource for understanding the original intent of the Constitution's framers.

In "Systemic Corruption," Camilla Vergara explores the problem of oligarchy in modern democracies. She redefines class as the division between the many who are governed and the few who govern. Vergara argues that the tendency toward oligarchy is a persistent threat, even in socialist republics. She suggests building class-specific institutions into constitutions, such as a tribunate of the plebs, to provide veto powers for the many and prevent the concentration of power in the hands of the few. Vergara's work offers a fresh perspective on the challenges of maintaining popular control in complex societies and preventing the rise of systemic corruption.