theorists anit federilaistis

Theorists/anit/Federilaistis

The Constitution of the United States is one of the most important documents of the democratic process up-to-date. It is the result of the desire for freedom embodied in the American Revolution and in the subsequent events that marked the early years of the U.S. democracy. However, despite the fact that the Constitution, with amendments required by the passing of time, is still applicable, there were various discussions on its final draft (Jenkins, 1997). In this sense, there were two conflicting opinions that marked the drafting of the Constitution. One suggested a weaker central government that would leave more responsibility and freedom to state authorities; the other marched on a different path, of a stronger central power which would ensure a tighter control of the activities of the state governments.

These theses were supported by beliefs entrenched in the liberal line of thought of John Locke and Thomas Hobbes. Each of them suggested one part of the debate by arguing from opposing positions. In this sense, both their perspectives were present in the debates over the Constitution.

John Locke is considered to be "the seventeenth century precursor of classic liberalism, and Hobbes was the seventeenth century precursor of modern totalitarianism, particularly fascism" (Locke vs. Hobbes, n.d.). This distinction is rather clear in the way each of them see the issue of government. While the former considers that the powers of the central government must be weak in order to allow states to express themselves in a positive manner, the latter views the central government as the most important piece of the administration, with extremely wide powers over the state authorities. This exercise would infringe the ability of the states to express their will properly.

At the same time, it sets another important question related to the issue of representation. Taking into account the fact that the population is not directly represented through the central government, the issue of "taxation without representation" enters the discussion. This was the cause of the American Revolution that was considered to be started also by the lack of representation of the American colonies in the British Parliament (Jenkins, 1997). In this sense, it appeared that the issue of a strong government and a weak represented population would bear resemblance to the British rule.

The ideas of the two political philosophers are present to this day as there is much debate on the powers of the government. However, today, although the role of the central government is relatively important, it does take into account the role of the states as decision makers; in this sense, there are several sections of the government's activities in which the state governments came to play an increasing role such as the taxes, health care, and even social policies in which states have more responsibility but also more control.

2. The issue concerning the drafting of the constitution and of the distribution of power inside the United States was based on the discussions over the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists. Each of their points is summarized in the Federalist Papers, the reaction of the Federalists to the arguments of their opponents. In this sense, the Federalist Paper no 47 discusses precisely the matter of the distribution of power; while the Anti-Federalists consider the distribution of power proposed by their adversaries to be a sign of authoritarian rule, the Federalists pointed out that the structure as they have proposed it did not invite tyranny, on the contrary (the Avalon Project, 2008). This comes to show the distinction between the opinions of the two sides and puts under discussion a possible history of the U.S. In the conditions in which the points of the anti-federalists would have all been considered in the Constitution.