期刊名称：Reason Papers : A Journal of Interdisciplinary Normative Studies
印刷版ISSN：0363-1893
出版年度：1981
卷号：7
出版社：Reason Papers
摘要：THEANTIFEDERALISTS, those men who opposed ratification of the federal Constitution in 1787-88, espoused a brand of libertarianism that is frequently misunderstood and misinterpreted by students of American political philosophy. In their arguments against the Constitution, the Antifederalists repeatedly warned that establishment of a strong, centralized national government would result in coercion, the erosion of state and local governments, and a loss of civil liberties. Yet, despite this libertarian strain in Antifederalistideology, many historians and political scientists today view Antifederalism as a rather obscure philosophy espoused by a small group-of conservatives and obstructionists. The belief that the Federalists (those who favored the Constitution) were the "true" radicals of the 1780s is based on a widespread misconception of Antifederalism and the Confederation era (approximately 1781-88) during which the Antifederalists were active in government and politics.
