Today, when looking at the distribution of power, we know that there are specific powers granted to each the states and the nation. The states' powers are specified in the 10th Amendment of the Constitution. Examples of state powers are the reserved (i.e. education) and concurrent (i.e. tax, building highways) powers. The national government's powers' is detailed in the first 3 articles of the Constitution. Again, Madison though, explains that the "Constitution is to be founded on the assent and ratification of the people of America,"" in Federalist 39 like Hamilton implied when suggesting a constitution. After the Constitution came into effect Madison said that it had both republican and federal principles. One relative republican principle which is apparent in the Constitution which we learn about today is the way we elect officials. The House of Representatives is directly elected while the Senators and President is indirectly elected. Also, the judges as well as the president's cabinet are reliant on the people because it's the president who selects those officials. An example of an up-to-date federal principle is the way we ratify an amendment. We can introduce by a 2/3 vote in both Houses of Congress or by the States. It can then be ratified by a national convention or a ¾ vote in the state legislature. .
As the increasing desire for the separation of powers in our government persisted Madison wrote in Federalist 47 that there is necessity of separation of the 3 branches to maintain liberty and governmental sufficiency. Madison argued that "The principle of the separation of powers is to be found in the political writings of the most celebrated civilians and is everywhere held as essential to the preservation of liberty,"" in Federalist 47. Today, in the Constitution's idea of the Supreme Law of the Land we have 3 developed branches of government called the legislative, executive and judicial branches.