(NIE)DOSKONAŁA RÓWNOWAGA?

(Im)perfect Balance? Problems of Relations between the Union, States and the People in the American Political Debate in the Years 1798-1861 The aim of the article is to present the controversy related to maintaining the ideal of balance between the two levels of power in the American political system (Union and state), indicated by James Madison in his essay. This balance was strongly justified by the reference to the principle of people's sovereignty, which was to be threatened by both centrifugal and separatist, as well as centralist and unification tendencies. The review of positions from the years 17981861 presented in the article allows us to state that the controversy resulted from Madison's failure to precisely define the people - especially where exactly they should be placed in the conflict between the two jurisdictions.