What exactly is the relationship between the federalists and the anti-federalists and todays democratic and republican parties?
Answer Society has really change considerably since the days of federalists and anti-federalists. Federalists wanted a more powerful federal government in order to keep the States in line. Anti-federalists opposed any significant strengthening of the federal government so that power remained with the States. But the most radical federalists of the time, who were considered extremists for granting major federal powers for the most part envisioned a less powerful government than even most “small government” conservatives support today. The entire mainstream political spectrum today expects the federal government to take some role in regulating all aspects of the economy commerce, labor, etc. Most of this would have been unheard of for even the most radical “big government” people of 200 years ago. I hope this helps!
