Institutional Focus The Constitutional Debate 2011 Taylor amp Francis The FederalistAntiFederalist Debate The proper size and scope of the federal government The debate of the Constitutional Convention 1787 ID: 637510
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Chapter 2THE REVOLUTION AND THE CONSTITUTION
Institutional Focus: The Constitutional Debate
© 2011 Taylor & FrancisSlide2
The Federalist/Anti-Federalist DebateThe proper size and scope of the federal government The debate of the Constitutional Convention (1787)
© 2011 Taylor & FrancisSlide3
The Federalist/Anti-Federalist Debate
Federalists' Beliefs
Anti-Federalists' Beliefs
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Strong central government best protects the people
• Need national government to gain respect at home and abroad• Government of checks and balances to limit the use of power• Strong central government will lead to tyranny• Need Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties
© 2011 Taylor & FrancisSlide4
The Federalist/Anti-Federalist Debate
Federalists’ Beliefs
Anti-Federalists’ Beliefs
•
Need a national judiciary to interpret the U.S. Constitution
a. Determine what the law is b. Least dangerous branch—judicial review of Congress• Judicial activism will occur at national level. National government will become too powerful. © 2011 Taylor & FrancisSlide5
The Federalist/Anti-Federalist Debate
Federalists’ Beliefs
Anti-Federalists’ Beliefs
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Need strong Executive Branch—President:
Conduct diplomacyCommander in ChiefExecute laws of the landTo be elected indirectlyChecked by Congress• President will be too powerful under U.S. Constitution© 2011 Taylor & FrancisSlide6
The Federalist/Anti-Federalist Debate
Federalists’ Beliefs
Anti-Federalists’ Beliefs
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Thought that the Bill of Rights was not needed due to existing state constitutions
• Government of limited powersOnly perform duties that are spelled out in ConstitutionLimited powers—narrowly constructed• States are key to liberty/ freedom• National Constitution will deprive states of authority within their boundaries
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Legislative Branch:
Powerful
Corrupt
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The Federalist/Anti-Federalist Debate
Federalists’ Beliefs
Anti-Federalists’ Beliefs
National government needs
independent revenue control
in order to address public
policy problems.National Army and Navyis needed for unified foreignpolicy responses and to ensurenational sovereignty in securitydilemmas.
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Financial power of the national government to tax individuals within states is intrusive to states' rights. National government will take away state revenues.
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Local militias adequate for defense of individual states.
© 2011 Taylor & FrancisSlide8
The Federalist/Anti-Federalist Debate
Federalists’ Beliefs
Anti-Federalists’ Beliefs
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Pessimistic view of human nature: elite should rule
• Favored a powerful national government• Representatives should filter constituency: trustees• Optimistic outlook on human nature: commoners can rule• Favored powerful state governments
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Representatives should mirror constituency:
delegates
© 2011 Taylor & FrancisSlide9
The Federalist/Anti-Federalist Debate
Federalists’ Beliefs
Anti-Federalists’ Beliefs
•
Viewed the Constitution as a means to promote economic growth and protect property rights
• Favored order• Viewed the Constitution as tyrannical, leading to corruption because it did not ensure liberty• Favored liberty © 2011 Taylor & FrancisSlide10
The Federalist/Anti-Federalist DebateDebate instituted a new outlook on government
The Founders embraced principles such as: Limited government Representative government
Separation of powers
C
hecks
and balances.
An elected monarch—the
President!The Convention sought to modify these principles and add others such as federalism and a written constitution.© 2011 Taylor & FrancisSlide11
Constitutional Convention DebateSlide12
The Culmination of the DebateThe Virginia Plan, supported by the Federalists and authored by James Madison, eventually prevailed. The Constitution established:
an electoral college to indirectly elect the President, a bicameral
congress,
a national judiciary, known as the Supreme Court whose members were appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
This institutional structure including the Bill of Rights comprises the United States Constitution.
© 2011 Taylor & FrancisSlide13
The Culmination of the Debate