A) the establishment of checks and balances INCORRECT Checks and balances are a core feature of the Constitution that the Federalists strongly supported. They believed that dividing power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches would prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. The author would not view this as pointless, as it is a fundamental mechanism to safeguard liberty. The excerpt likely emphasizes the necessity of such structural safeguards, not their futility.
B) the existence of a national court system INCORRECT The national court system was established to interpret laws and ensure justice, and it was a key component of the Federalist vision for a strong central government. The author would not consider it pointless, as it is essential for enforcing national laws and resolving disputes. The excerpt may discuss the judiciary's role in protecting rights, but it does not dismiss the court system as unnecessary.
C) the creation of a strong chief executive INCORRECT The Federalists advocated for a single executive to provide energy and direction to the government, which they saw as vital for effective governance. The author would not view the executive as pointless, as it is necessary for implementing laws and conducting foreign affairs. The excerpt likely defends the executive's powers, not criticizes them.
D) the inclusion of a bill of rights CORRECT The author argues that a bill of rights is almost pointless because the Constitution grants only specific, enumerated powers to the federal government. Since the government cannot act beyond those powers, there is no need to list rights that are already protected by the structure of the government. Furthermore, the author warns that listing some rights might imply that unlisted rights are not protected, which could be dangerous. This view was famously articulated in Federalist No. 84, where Hamilton wrote, 'Why declare that things shall not be done which there is no power to do?' Thus, the author sees a bill of rights as unnecessary and potentially harmful.
