Question

hamilton on the courts role
limited government can be preserved in practice no other way than through the medium of courts of justice, whose duty it must be to declare all acts contrary to the manifest tenor of the constitution void.
—alexander hamilton, federalist no. 78
which statement is the best summary of this passage?
courts preserve limited government by protecting the constitution from attack.
courts are a threat to limited government under the constitution.
courts must work with other branches of government to protect the constitution.
courts alone have a responsibility to follow the constitution.

Explanation:

The passage emphasizes that limited government can be preserved through courts of justice which declare acts contrary to the Constitution void. This means courts protect the Constitution (by nullifying unconstitutional acts), thus preserving limited government.

• The second option “Courts are a threat...” is wrong as the passage says they preserve, not threaten.
• The third option about working with other branches is not mentioned in the passage.
• The fourth option “Courts alone...follow” is incorrect; the passage is about their role in declaring unconstitutional acts void (protecting the Constitution), not just following it.

Answer:

Courts preserve limited government by protecting the Constitution from attack.