The Emergence and Fundamental Centrality of James Madison’s Federalist 37: Historians, Political Theorists, and the Recentering of Meaning in The Federalist

Abstract

Madison’s fascinating Federalist 37 has lagged behind other Publius essays, particularly Federalist 10, in drawing scholarly attention. Only recently have historians and political theorists begun to correct this imbalance. However, even this newer interest has failed to fully grasp the significance of no. 37 or to reconsider its larger meanings. This review essay provides an extensive analysis of the key writings on Federalist 37 to document its emerging prominence. It argues that the collective impact of this scholarship points toward a latent paradigm change in how we understand Federalist 37 in relation to the better-known Federalist 10, to the ratification debate, and to Madison’s political thought. It suggests several fruitful avenues for additional scholarship. Finally, it argues that granting primacy to no. 37 helps us understand Madison as primarily a historical actor and see the role of The Federalist in the ratification debate more in a historical than a theoretical context.