Madison, Hamilton, et al. Would Wonder at Our Credulous View of Human Nature

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 2, 2026

Scholars are revisiting the Founding Fathers’ view that humans are inherently self-interested and flawed, a belief that shaped the Constitution’s system of checks and balances. This perspective contrasts with modern governance trends toward bureaucratic independence and optimism about human nature, raising debates about accountability and the scope of government power.

Reflections on the philosophical foundations of the American constitutional system have resurfaced amid ongoing debates over the nature of human behavior and governance. Drawing upon historical perspectives from the nation’s Founding Fathers, some scholars emphasize the enduring relevance of their views on human nature as a framework for understanding political structures and contemporary challenges.

The founders of the United States—figures such as Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison—crafted the Constitution during the late 18th century with an explicit acknowledgment of human fallibility. They operated under the assumption that individuals frequently prioritize self-interest over the common good, a perspective rooted in the doctrine of original sin. This outlook diverged sharply from Enlightenment-era optimism, particularly that of contemporaneous French revolutionaries who embraced the idea of innate human purity corrupted only by society.

In the Federalist Papers, the trio addressed this tension directly. Madison famously remarked that if men were inherently angelic, government would be unnecessary, underscoring the need for institutional checks to balance competing interests and restrain potential abuses of power. Hamilton similarly argued that governance exists primarily because human passions do not always yield to reason or justice without constraint. Their constitutional design therefore incorporated mechanisms intended to mitigate the risks posed by flawed human motivations.

However, political developments over the past century have diverged from this founding ethos. Progressive reforms beginning in the early 20th century established a broad network of autonomous, bureaucratic agencies insulated from direct political accountability. Expansion of social welfare programs and diplomatic efforts aimed at fostering cooperation with adversarial states reflected a more optimistic belief in human nature and societal improvement.

This shift has invited criticism from some contemporary commentators who argue that modern governance rests on overly idealistic assumptions. Certain factions within the American right, including postliberals and national conservatives, have sought to repurpose traditionally left-leaning policy tools to support conservative goals, reflecting a nuanced engagement with questions about human behavior and state authority.

Recent Supreme Court actions, notably the decision to overturn Humphrey’s Executor v. United States—a 1935 ruling that upheld the structure of independent federal agencies—have been interpreted by some analysts as a judicial reaffirmation of founders’ skepticism toward unchecked administrative power.

Broader debates continue about the consequences of abandoning classical notions of human depravity in favor of more optimistic or ideologically driven interpretations. Critics caution that rejecting a realistic appraisal of human shortcomings has sometimes led to increased polarization and a propensity to stigmatize political opponents.

The Founders’ acknowledgment of human imperfection was not only a practical judgment but also a philosophical humility that influenced the design of American government. Revisiting their conception of human nature offers a lens through which to assess contemporary political dynamics and the ongoing challenge of balancing power with accountability.

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