The Federalist No. 4

by Allison Jones

In the last paper, John Jay addressed safety from just foreign force.  7 November 1787, he continues the topic only focusing on unjust force.

He claims that one government would provide more safety to the citizens against opportunistic wars instigated by other nations.  “It is too true, however disgraceful it may be to human nature, that nations in general will make war whenever they have a prospect of getting any thing [sic] by it”.   This seems rather self-evident, humans are like this individually and they are like this when they congregate as well.  It is why altruism is remarked upon.

America as a separate nation would compete with other nations in trade and shipping.  Where once, they depended on others for their exports, America could begin manufacturing their own goods and not only export them, but no longer import as much from other countries.  It would be natural for other countries to look on an independent America as a threat.

“Wisely therefore do they consider Union and a good national Government as necessary to put and keep them in such a situation as instead of inviting war, will then to repress and discourage it.  That situation consists in the best possible state of defense, and necessarily depends on the Government, the arms and the resources of the country.”

A nation is safest when other nations can see it would be unwise to attack it.  Just like an individual is less likely to provoke a large dog that can cause more damage if it attacks than a small dog; no matter how riled the small dog may get, it is only an annoyance.

One central government can provide a stronger defense than several smaller governments loosely allied.  One government has a larger pool of talented individuals to draw from, can more consistently and efficiently apply policy, is more concerned for the whole of its citizens than smaller subsections of them, and can maintain a unified and more effective military.

Jay concludes that if America is strong and well organized foreign powers “will be much more disposed to cultivate our friendship, than provoke our resentment.”