“War should only be declared by the authority of the people, whose toils and treasures are to sustain its burdens, instead of the government which is to reap its fruits. ”
— James Madison
Simplified Meaning:
The idea is that the decision to go to war should be made by the citizens, not the government leaders. This is because it's the common people who will have to handle the hard work, suffer, and bear the costs of war. For example, soldiers and their families experience the loss and hardship, while ordinary taxpayers fund the war. But often, the people in power, like politicians, do not face these same struggles and might benefit from the outcomes of war, such as gaining more control or resources. If regular people had the final say, there would likely be fewer wars, as they directly feel the negative effects. So, involving citizens in making decisions about war ensures that those who suffer the most from it have a voice in whether or not it happens.
