Read these two passages from 1788, which are related to the debate over the ratification of the Constitution.

If men were angels, no government would be necessary. . . . you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself. A dependence on the people is . . . the primary control on the government.

–Federalist 51, 1788

In a national government, unless cautiously and fortunately administered, the disputes will be the deep-rooted differences of interest, where part of the empire must be injured by the operation of general law.

–A Maryland farmer, 1788

How is the first passage, taken from the Federalist papers, an example of the stance of a Federalist?

It favors state governments over the federal government.
It promotes the concept of a strong federal government.
It opposes separating powers in the federal government.
It dismisses the importance of the federal government.

The first text reinforces the need to promote strong federal government. This concept was the main idea defended by the federalists and can be defended by the text when the author states that a people needs to be governed by a system that has the power to organize men, to control them in relation to their defects. The text shows that men are not angels, so it is necessary that a powerful system has the power to lead them. That powerful system is the federal government.