It may be a reflection on human nature, that such devices [checks and balances] should be necessary to control the abuses of government… If men were angels, no government would be necessary.
—Publius

Which statement summarizes the publication’s view of government?

We need government so we have a means to control our leaders.
We need government because people are flawed.
We don’t need government because people are well behaved.
We don’t need government because it has too many checks and balances.