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Books That Matter: The Federalist Papers

See what the 85 essays that make up The Federalist Papers can tell us about American government from its founding to today.
 
 
Rated 5 out of 5 by from This course was an impressive walk among the broad issues that are at the very human nature of our country. It has been a great experiment, at times coming perilously close to Mr. Franklin's warning, "... A republic, if you can keep it." I wonder what James Madison, John Jay and Alexander Hamilton would think about it being kept for over 230 years. We have inherited this experiment, and it would be a shame to stop working on it.
Date published: 2025-07-05
Rated 4 out of 5 by from Could have been better Given our current politics, this course seems mostly to remind us of how naive the founders were and how inadequate many of the safeguards for liberty they designed seem to be proving to be. They did not anticipate the effects of wealth inequality and the rise of oligarchs on voting, nor did they anticipate how the rise of social media would make it possible for a would-be autocrat to capture the presidency. They assumed a wisdom of the general populace that seems nowhere in evidence. Of course, one shouldn't expect men living over two hundred years ago to have predicted our current dilemmas. Most specifically, what do you do when one branch of government exceeds its authority? The professor raises the question, but there seems to be no effective answer. What do you do when the other branches of government effectively abdicate? Again, no real answer. I found the "Great Courses Time Machine" a bit cheesy. During the section on Hamilton's writings on the presidency, the professor's constant "Check!" comments were a bit annoying. Still, the course is worth taking, and the subject has a rather sad relevance to our times that may provoke thought.
Date published: 2025-04-10
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Fascinating, Topical, Extremely Well Done As a longtime TGC subscriber and someone particularly interested in American History, I was greatly enriched by these lectures. The theories and persons responsible for our Constitution were of keen interest to me. The logic behind the structure of our government, and its evolution including Dual Sovereignty, separation of powers, and indeed all topics discussed were extremely interesting and excellent food for contemplation. Professor Hoffman has certainly become of my very favorite lecturers; I have enjoyed and benefitted from all of his TGC courses very much. He is a super clear and interesting communicator, and his material is top notch. Hopefully he will continue crafting more of his marvelous courses.
Date published: 2024-10-17
Rated 4 out of 5 by from A Useful Primer My sense of this course wanders from "on the one hand" to "on the other hand." Yes, this is a very useful primer from a presenter whose bona fides as an attorney and law professor make him a reliable transmitter of the broad (and sometimes contradictory) messages sent from Hamilton, Madison and Jay. However, I find it a bit ironic that my principal critique of the presentation is similar to the one I found with Professor Pangle's course on Federalists versus Anti-Federalists. First, both are grafted to their teleprompters. Yes, I know-they all use them. Some bring it off better than others. With Professor Hoffmann (as I also found with Professor Pangle), when they are quoting a passage, it is frustrating to know when the quote begins and when it ends, since they don't even pretend to be reading from a text; it is as if it was memorized, which, of course, it was not. This steals from both the spontaneity of the presentation, as well as from the fine scholarship that underlies it. Also, the production values more recently employed by The Great Courses have totally abandoned the classroom environment; they are a distraction. For this reason, and others, I believe this course would have conveyed its valuable content much more efficiently had it been experienced in audio only. With all of that, a subtraction of one star is appropriate. No need to watch. Just listen.
Date published: 2024-09-07
Rated 5 out of 5 by from wonderful content, excellent presentation A very informative discussion. A deep, yet accessible presentation of what our brilliant founding fathers were thinking as they created our Constitution. Highly recommended. Fair and balanced . Delightful. One of the best courses I have viewed, among the dozens I have watched.
Date published: 2024-01-24
Rated 5 out of 5 by from EXCELLENT I learned so much about what happened after the end of the war and what our Founding Fathers fought for to give us the country we enjoy today.
Date published: 2023-08-19
Rated 3 out of 5 by from The Federalist I just started this course. I was watching lecture 4 when Professor (?) Hoffman was talking about the framers in the convention hall. He said there's Benjamin Franklin and the small man in the corner is James Madison. The tall man is Thomas Jefferson. I think Thomas Jefferson was in France at this time. Otherwise I am enjoying course so far.
Date published: 2023-07-28
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Mandatory Civic Class Excellent class discussed the founding principles and logics of American Republic and Federalism. This should be civic requirement for all high schools and college students.
Date published: 2023-07-13
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Books That Matter: The Federalist Papers

Trailer

A Blueprint for American Government

01: A Blueprint for American Government

Understanding "The Federalist Papers" starts with understanding who wrote them and why they were written. In this opening lecture, go back to 1787 to meet Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to find out what challenges they faced in communicating the need for the new U.S. Constitution.

34 min
A Democracy or a Republic?

02: A Democracy or a Republic?

The Framers of the Constitution believed pure democracy was something to be feared for the way it would lead to the rise of factions, which would in turn tear apart the system. Was it possible to create a new model that offered the benefits of representative democracy without the problems of factions? See how the Framers tackled this conflict.

34 min
A Federation or a Nation?

03: A Federation or a Nation?

When the Framers gathered in Philadelphia to write a new constitution, they essentially were representing a loose federation of nation-states. Their original charge was to modify the Articles of Confederation, but there was a solid case for a strong central government. Examine this dilemma and the compromises that Madison and Hamilton made.

35 min
American Federalism

04: American Federalism

Given all the conflicts and compromises of 1787, how did the American federal system come about? How did the Framers solve the issues of the day while preserving flexibility for the future? Review the enumerated powers of the federal government and see how power was balanced between the federal government and the states.

33 min
Dual Sovereignty

05: Dual Sovereignty

The system that emerged under the new constitution gave the federal government the ability to determine the scope of its own powers. What checks did the system place on the federal government? Who gets to decide when the federal government has violated its powers? Reflect on the powers of the states and the American people.

34 min
Popular Sovereignty and States’ Rights

06: Popular Sovereignty and States’ Rights

The idea of popular sovereignty—the power of the American people—reshaped the relationship between the states and the federal government. In this lecture, consider the ever-changing relationship of the states to the federal government. See how the institution of slavery was the catalyst for a crisis.

33 min
The Separation of Powers

07: The Separation of Powers

In Federalist Nos. 47 through 51, James Madison explains why the concept of "separation of powers" is so important for the future of the American government. Dig into these five amazing essays to understand what the familiar term “separation of powers” really means—and why he was so optimistic about America’s future.

32 min
The Federal Legislature

08: The Federal Legislature

James Madison believed the legislature posed the greatest threat to the integrity of the system the Framers had so carefully designed. In "Federalist No. 48," "Federalist No. 51," and elsewhere, he laid out warnings about the legislature seizing too much power, as well as the solution of a bicameral legislature. Delve into this thorny issue.

32 min
The President of the United States

09: The President of the United States

Shift your attention from the legislature to the chief executive, the single most powerful government official in the world today. But, as you will learn in your exploration of The Federalist Papers, the Framers had a different view of the presidency. Review Alexander Hamilton’s essays about the office and the powers of the president.

32 min
The Federal Judiciary

10: The Federal Judiciary

Round out your study of the branches of government with an in-depth look at the federal judiciary, one of the three branches of the federal government. The Framers believed the judiciary was the branch least likely to infringe on the liberty of the American people. Reflect on its role and its power, and then review the most important constitutional law case in American History: "Marbury v. Madison."

33 min
The Evolution of American Federalism

11: The Evolution of American Federalism

The story of the Constitution is one of both stability and change. In this lecture, take a look at some of the most important ways the Constitution has evolved over the past 230 years. Consider whether the changes have largely honored the original spirit of the Constitution or broken faith with the vision of the Framers.

33 min
The Future of the United States Constitution

12: The Future of the United States Constitution

What does the future look like for America’s democratic republic? As you have seen, one of the most important trends has been the gradual increase in federal power, but the tension between federal and state power remains. Is there still a future for republican government? What might a Second Constitutional Convention look like? And would we want to find out?

35 min

Overview Course No. 4010

It would be difficult to overstate the influence of The Federalist Papers. Despite their lack of official or legal status, these 85 brilliant essays have served as the single most important guide to the interpretation and application of the U.S. Constitution for more than 230 years. Authored by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, The Federalist Papers offer a detailed blueprint for building a successful democratic republic.

Over the past two centuries, the American government has seen its share of trials and tribulations, and the 21st century has ushered in a host of new crises, from the growing surveillance state to the political polarization exacerbated by social media. Will the American system of government survive the next crisis? Are we still governed by the same system the Framers of the Constitution envisioned? What do they have to tell us about good governance today—or our political future?

Delve into these questions and more in Books That Matter: The Federalist Papers. Taught by acclaimed professor and legal scholar Joseph L. Hoffmann of the Indiana University Maurer School of Law, these 12 thought-provoking lectures take you back to the hot summer weather of Philadelphia in 1787, when the delegates from the states gathered to revise the Articles of Confederation.

What emerged from the proceedings was an entirely new Constitution representing an entirely new system of government unlike anything the world had ever seen. As you will learn, the Framers were rightly concerned about whether the 13 largely autonomous states would accept a strong centralized federal government, and whether such a system could include safeguards to protect against the tyranny they’d just fought a war to overcome.

To answer these concerns, the authors laid out a bold vision for the new nation, drafting what became essentially the Bible of American government—perhaps America’s most significant contribution to the way that human beings choose to organize their lives, and their societies, in order to fulfill their hopes and pursue their dreams together.FBA /Audible

About

Joseph L. Hoffmann

Federalism has defined the history, politics, and governance of the United States from its beginnings right up to the present day—and Federalism continues to evolve with the changing needs and interests of the American people.

INSTITUTION

Indiana University Maurer School of Law

Joseph L. Hoffmann is the Harry Pratter Professor of Law Emeritus at Indiana University Maurer School of Law, where he has taught since 1986. He earned his JD from the University of Washington School of Law. He has taught about American federalism at leading universities in France, Germany, Hungary, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Poland, and Thailand. At Indiana University, he has received the Leon H. Wallace Teaching Award, the Trustees’ Teaching Award, the Teaching Excellence Recognition Award, and the Gavel Award.

By This Professor

Law School for Everyone
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Books That Matter: The Federalist Papers
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The Evolution of American Federalism
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