Federalist #72

The Same Subject Continued, and Re-Eligibility of the Executive Considered  (Hamilton)

Hamilton expands on his discussion of the Office of the Executive by outlining the negative effects of not allowing the same person to remain as Chief Executive. He then argues the positives for allowing such people to continue, as Hamilton feels the proper administration of the government is contingent on a stable executive branch.

Hamilton first outlines five disadvantages or “ills” of not allowing a person to continue as “chief magistrate.” This first ill effect is the increase for personal gain, as the person, by not being allowed to continue the faithful duty they had begun, would just use the finite time they have at their disposal for personal interests. Furthermore, by having the reward of continued service, a person is less likely to engage in “personal gain” over “personal good.” A third ill effect is depriving the nation of the executive experience obtained while in office and from the background of the magistrate. Hamilton ends with the warning that by not allowing for successive terms that such actions can put the stability of the administration of government at risk and in times of crises, the current executive’s skills and abilities can not be put into positive use for the nation.

Hamilton argues that the advantages of allowing for successive terms outweigh the disadvantages. Hamilton believes that two major advantages arise from this: First, reelection provides for more independence of the executive. If the person knows that their time is not restricted to a single term of office, that person would not feel that their “station” is inferior with other branches of government. Second, the overall security of the country is increased by the person knowing that their hard work and effort in office is rewarded by their ability to keep the office (with conformation of the people) and thus, lowering the risk for personal ambition.