Question

Explain the differences between jefferson and hamilton's attitudes toward popular participation in the decision-making process.

Answer 1

Jefferson, as an anti-federalist, was a strict constructionist of the Constitution and believed in a small central (federal government). Hamilton, as a federalist, was a loose constructionist of the Constitution and believed in having a strong central government (federal government). This meant that Jefferson was in favor of popular participation in the decision making process, whereas Hamilton was not and did not believe that the average person was capable of this level of decision making.