“Every project has been found to be no better than committing the lamb to the custody of the wolf, except that one which is called a balance of power.”
This powerful statement comes from John Adams, a Founding Father and the second President of the United States. Source It captures a deep skepticism about unchecked power. Adams wrote this in his 1787 work, A Defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America. . The quote reveals his core political philosophy. Moreover, it provides a timeless warning about human nature and governance.
At its heart, the quote uses a vivid metaphor. Committing a project to a single entity is like entrusting a helpless lamb to a hungry wolf. The outcome is predictable and disastrous. The wolf, representing concentrated power, will inevitably act in its own self-interest. Consequently, it will devour the lamb, which symbolizes the public good or the project’s goals. Adams suggests that any system without checks is doomed to fail. This reflects a profound distrust in the virtue of those who hold authority.
The Crucial Exception: A Balance of Power
However, Adams provides a single, vital exception to this grim outlook. The only workable project is one structured around a “balance of power.” This concept was central to his thinking. He believed that power must be divided among different branches or factions. Each branch should have the ability to check the others. This prevents any single group from becoming a wolf.
For example, in the U.S. government, this principle is clear. The legislative, executive, and judicial branches all have distinct roles. Congress makes laws, but the President can veto them. The Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional. This intricate system creates tension and competition. Yet, this very friction protects liberty. It forces compromise and prevents the swift, tyrannical actions of a single ruler or group. Power, when balanced against opposing power, can serve the people instead of consuming them.
Historical Roots of the Idea
The idea of a balance of power was not new. Adams drew heavily from classical and Enlightenment thinkers. Ancient historians like Polybius described the mixed constitution of the Roman Republic. Similarly, the French philosopher Montesquieu championed the separation of powers in his work The Spirit of the Laws. Adams adapted these ideas for the new American experiment. He argued forcefully for a bicameral legislature and a strong, independent executive. He saw these structures as essential safeguards against the dangers he described so vividly.
His political opponents, however, sometimes favored simpler, more democratic forms of government. They placed more faith in the people’s virtue. Adams remained skeptical. He believed that human nature was flawed and ambitious. Therefore, a well-designed system was more reliable than good intentions. This fundamental belief shaped his contributions to the Massachusetts Constitution and influenced the U.S. Constitution.
Modern Relevance of Adams’s Warning
Centuries later, Adams’s words still resonate. We see this principle tested in modern politics across the globe. When one branch of government overpowers the others, rights and freedoms often suffer. The concept also applies beyond government. For instance, in the corporate world, a powerful CEO without an independent board of directors can be a recipe for disaster. Regulatory bodies exist to balance the power of massive industries.
The idea of balancing power is a cornerstone of international relations theory. Nations form alliances to prevent any single country from achieving global dominance. . This constant push and pull, while often tense, aims to maintain stability. It seeks to avoid a scenario where one