[Date of submission]

Federalist vs. Anti-federalist Perspectives on the Constitution

Brief analysis

While the anti-Federalists believed the Constitution and formation of a National Government would lead to a monarchy or aristocracy, the Federalists vision of the country supported the belief that a National Government based on the Articles of the Confederation was inadequate to support an ever growing and expanding nation. After the constitution was signed the next step was ratification by a least nine states. Ratification by the states was by no means a fore gone conclusion in 1887.

Any state not ratifying the constitution would be considered a separate country. The Federalists and Anti-Federalists had very different opinions on what kind of government should be formed. The Anti-Federalists were made up mostly of farmers and tradesman, common people working to support their families. The Federalists were made up of the wealthy and elite plantation owners and businessmen (John, Pp. 67-70).

In an effort to make their argument the Anti-Federalists used rhetoric from the Revolutionary War to stress the merits of state and local government. The real dilemma the Anti-Federalists had with the constitution, when the constitution was signed it did not contain a Bill of Rights to protect citizen's rights. The Anti-federalists also characterized a national or central government as a step away from democratic goals, fought for during the Revolutionary War and a step towards monarchy or aristocracy rule. Anti-Federalists believed individual state rights should be protect and if the constitution was ratified states would lose their sovereignty and independent government. The local Politian's believed the political power they enjoyed would be stripped upon the ratification of the constitution.

The Anti-Federalists argument is more valid today than it was back in 1790 when the 13th and final state ratified the constitution. Political parties are corrupt, the people's rights are eroding, and the federal government is expanding. The Federal government must be reined in, spending reduced, people's rights restored. The irony of today's America is people are looking towards the federal government to solve life's entire problems instead of putting faith in the individual's ability to provide for themselves. Less Government is what will bring the United States out of the current economic crisis (David, Pp. 45-46).

Why does Brutus stress the small republic?

The core reason of stressing the small republic by Brutus is that the Madison stressed a lot on the favor of national interests. There are a lot of evident facts that Madison is considered as a political scientist of pluralist school of that he has always supported and put on priority national interests of the country.

How does Brutus argue from authority? What particular clauses does he fear in the U.S. Constitution?

Brutus argued strongly from authority in order to keep his best efforts for national efforts. Brutus argued on some of the important points of federalist which are discussed further. The Federalists believed the articles of confederation which were the first attempt to unite the country into a continental nation had failed. Federalists believe ratification of the constitution would unite the states ...