Perspectives of the Founders of the United States on Law and the State

The Founders of the United States, drawing heavily from Enlightenment ideas, envisioned a government founded on principles of individual rights, liberty, and the consent of the governed. They believed in a system of governance with a division of powers and checks and balances to prevent tyranny and ensure accountability. The Founders emphasized the importance of a strong yet limited central government, derived from the people, and guided by a written constitution that would secure the nation's unity, stability, and the pursuit of happiness. This article examines the views of Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton on law and the state.