Federalist, Anti-federalists papers, Media, Public Opinion and the Vote

           In the writing of the Constitution of the United States the framers were aware of the opposition that would fall upon the ratification. The power given to the federal government left no room for individual rights in the Constitution without the Bill of Rights. The Americans were fearful of a government that was ignorant of individual freedoms and did not want to restrict their newly gained freedoms. Those in control of the government were fearful of the power of the "ignorant masses" and were aware of the changing opinions of the citizens. The mental trauma caused by the tyranny and oppression from English rule was too fresh on the minds of the people. A strong central government with very little limits was feared by the American public.

        The Federalist papers were published to educate and sway public opinion towards the ratification of the Constitution without a Bill of Rights added to maintain the strength of the rule of the central government. Federalist writings implied that individual rights and liberty were protected under the original document. They argued that adding a Bill of Rights would undermine the authority of the government thus making in ineffective and weak. Without these papers circulated in the public the ratification would not have happened - even with the Bill of Rights added.

        The Anti federalist papers were circulated to point out the need for a Bill of Rights. They spoke against the strength of the centralized government with few limits and restraints. The Anti-federalists papers were in favor of limiting the central government. Anti-federalist papers created a movement for the adding of the Bill of Rights that protected the liberties of the individual. 

         The interesting point to this is that there were two sides publicly speaking pros and cons about the law of the land. This created the need to compromise and the Federalist and Anti-federalist each adapted their wants to meet the needs of the people. A balance was created because of the media and ratification was possible. 

         The media can be a tool for the American people to use that enables education and can expose governmental corruption. The media is also a tool that can be used by politicians to restrict education and full disclosure as well. Any spin can be sent out to the public from media. Education comes from gathering information from many sources therefore; restricting media to a few sources can create ignorance of a subject matter. The Freedom of speech must be maintained in all forms to protect freedom, although it is the public’s responsibility to become educated from many sources to form opinions and sway their vote. 

        The vote of an individual can be swayed by gossip, media and the opinion of others. This is why politicians, political action comities and researchers take polls, to see the social temperature of the public. They can go forward with their convictions or they can pull back and even change their previous convictions completely based on public acceptance. They do this because public opinion is a direct relation with vote. The Federalist and Anti-federalist papers in the beginning of this government are similar in the two party system we have now - each supporting different ideals and representing the ideals of their constituents, This is important to protect because it represents the people, creates a balance  and slows down the government so radical changes become more difficult.

        Final Summation, The Constitution with the Bill of Rights is a Yin-Yang type balance between the people and the government. The responsibility of the public is to be informed and educated by multiple facets of media, then to create the opinions that back up the vote to create political Zen for the individual and the country. The Federalist and the Anti-federalist papers much like the two party system we have today creates a balance of power.

“I am not a Democrat,                                 

  I am not a Republican,

  I am an informed voter..."

                     Dana Cowan, 2010