Federalist: meaning, definitions and examples

Used in political discussions to refer to someone who supports a strong central government. This term often refers to historical contexts, specifically the supporters of the US Constitution during the late 18th century.

• Alexander Hamilton was a prominent federalist who contributed to the Federalist Papers.
• The debate between federalists and anti-federalists shaped the early political landscape of the United States.

Used in modern contexts to describe someone who supports the principles of federalism, advocating for a balance of power between national and state governments.

• As a federalism supporter, he believes that both the national and state governments should share governance.
• The federalism supporter argued that states should have certain powers independent of the national government.

Used to describe someone who favors centralization of power and authority, typically in the context of government control. This term can have a negative connotation, especially among those who advocate for more local or decentralized power.

• The centralist policies of the government were met with resistance from the local communities.
• As a centralist, she argued for the necessity of strong national regulations over states' autonomy.

Used to describe someone who supports greater autonomy and power for individual states as opposed to a strong central government. This term is often used in legal and political discussions regarding the division of power.

• A states' rights advocate, she opposed the federal mandate, believing it infringed on state sovereignty.
• Historically, states' rights advocates played a significant role in debates over issues like slavery and civil rights.

This term is capitalized and often refers specifically to a member or supporter of the Federalist Party, especially in the context of early U.S. history.

• Alexander Hamilton was a prominent Federalist who advocated for the ratification of the Constitution.

Use this phrase to clearly specify someone who was a member of the Federalist Party in the United States. This term is very specific to the historical context of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

• John Jay was a Federalist Party member and played a key role in the drafting of the Constitution.

This term is used to describe someone who follows or supports the political and economic principles of Alexander Hamilton. It's often used in discussions about his specific policies or ideologies.

• He has a Hamiltonian view of economics, supporting a strong central bank and federal involvement in industry.

Use this term to describe a person who supports a strong central government and the principles of federalism. This can be in a historical context referring to those who supported the ratification of the U.S. Constitution in the late 18th century, or in a more general context relating to modern political beliefs.

• Alexander Hamilton was a well-known federalist who greatly influenced the founding of the United States.
• Modern federalists believe in the importance of a centralized government for overseeing national issues.

This term is highly specific and is used to refer to individuals who contributed to the writing of the Federalist Papers, a series of essays advocating for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. There are only three people this term can refer to: Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.

• Alexander Hamilton was a Federalist Papers author, writing many essays to support the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
• It’s important to study the works of Federalist Papers authors to understand the principles behind the U.S. Constitution.

This term is best used to describe someone who supports and promotes adherence to and the implementation of a constitution, particularly the U.S. Constitution. It can be used in both historical and contemporary settings.

• James Madison was a prominent Constitution advocate who played a key role in drafting the U.S. Constitution.
• Many politicians today see themselves as Constitution advocates, ensuring that governmental actions align with constitutional principles.