What was a core principle behind the founding of the United States as articulated in "The Federalist Papers"?

The core principle articulated in "The Federalist Papers" revolves significantly around the need for a strong and centralized government. The authors, particularly Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, wrote these essays to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and to advocate for the ratification of the new Constitution. They argued that a more powerful national government was necessary to maintain order, provide for the common defense, and regulate commerce effectively among the states.

This argument emphasizes that without a strong federal government, the nation could crumble under the strain of fragmentation, internal conflicts, and external threats, thus making a compelling case for a centralized authority capable of enforcing laws and policies uniformly across all states. The Federalist Papers laid the groundwork for understanding the federal system that balances both national and state powers, which was essential for the functioning of the newly founded nation.

While the other options touch on important concepts in political theory, they do not capture the primary rationale put forward in "The Federalist Papers" as persuasively as the necessity for a centralized government. The emphasis on limited government, direct democracy, and free market economics, while relevant in broader discussions of American political thought, are not the central themes promoted in those writings regarding the founding context.