The Pros And Cons Of The Federalists

The Federalists or more accurately named the nationalists were in favor of the Constitution. They sought after a strong national government. Three key members of the Federalist Party were Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison. Alexander Hamilton wrote fifty-one articles and John Jay authored five. James Madison; however, wrote two of the most famous articles under the pen name, Publius. Madison, author of the Federalist No. 10 and 51, believed that a large, extended republic would act as a safe guard for liberty. During the late 1700s, many Americans believed that liberty was only safe in small societies governed by either a direct democracy or by large legislatures with small distinct districts with frequent turnover

The Antifederalists might also be called “states’ righters.” The Antifederalists were usually farmers, debtors, and lower class citizens, unlike the federalists, who were usually wealthy and well educated. Madison argued that a society divided into factions would be a threat to our government. Madison explains in the Federalist No. 10 “by a faction I understand a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adverse to the rights of citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community.” In a small community, there would only be a few differences in opinions or interests. Therefore, people would see the world in the same way. On the other hand, in a large republic, there would be many different opinions and interests, which would make it hard for a tyrannical majority to form or organize. If Madison’s argument holds true, those living an exotic or different lifestyle would find greater security living in a large city rather than a small town. Today, Madison’s factions are called “special interests.” The division of powers in the government has given every faction an opportunity to gain some but

He also argued that coalitions formed in a large republic would accommodate adversity.

Madison, a federalist, would side for having a unified law between the states. The argument between the federalists and Antifederalists is still alive today. For example, the first seat belt law was a federal law, which took effect 1968, that required all vehicles, except buses, to be made with a seatbelt. Initially, the use of seat belt use was not mandatory. New York was the first state to pass a law which required vehicle passengers to wear their seat belts. Allowing states the power to govern, as the Antifederalists would have hoped, has helped kept our governement in balance. In today’s current events, states have many different views on some controversial issues. More and more issues are rising in which a states have differences in opinion. For example, same sex marriage, the use of marijuana, gambling, and abortion. When these controversial topics and laws conflict, it can be difficult to determine which has precedence and every conflict has to be resolved in its own way. Due to constitutional