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Anti-Federalist Paper Series-Ep. 13: The Anti-Federalist and Federalist Debate Still Rages Today Oct 01, 2021

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For 13 weeks, we continued a conversation that first began over 200 years ago between Federalists and Anti-Federalists. Why is it relevant to continue this conversation? It's because we belong in a community. The Preamble echoes this as it does not begin with "I, the individual" but with "We, the people." In continuing this conversation we realize human nature and the natural tendencies we have to join social and political groups, quarrel and ask questions. In human nature, the gravitation towards power is constant, therefore we divide it to prevent its corrupting tendency. Join Professor Gordon Lloyd from Pepperdine University and our panel as we continue this conversation!

Anti-Federalist Paper Series-Ep. 12: The Role of the Judiciary: Brutus XV and Federalist 78 Sep 23, 2021

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The Supreme Court was controversial when it was first proposed. In Brutus XV, Robert Yates argues the problem with the Supreme Court is that it will be too powerful because they can interpret the Constitution and their decisions cannot be overturned. In a direct response in Federalist 78, Hamilton argued the Supreme Court and federal courts would not be the most powerful branch but the least dangerous because they cannot make laws, cannot tax and cannot enforce the law. Hamilton argued court power of judicial review is limited and not meant to give the court supremacy over the other branches but to protect its own independence. What do you think? Has the Supreme Court become too powerful and does Brutus offer insight into what the Supreme Court has become? Join our panel and Dr. Jeffrey Sikkenga, Executive Director of the Ashbrook Center, for this enlightening discussion.

Anti-Federalist Paper Series-Ep. 11: Is a Bill of Rights Necessary? Federal Farmer IV, James Wilson's State House Speech, and Federalist 84 Sep 17, 2021

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When you decide to take an action, do you seek permission to take that action or look for a prohibition against it? The difference is substantial. Anti-Federalists supported a Bill of Rights in the Constitution as they viewed it as a list of rights that should be retained by the people in the new government. They were concerned that through the Supremacy Clause, the US Constitution would overrule state constitutions. The Federalists did not view the Bill of Rights as necessary, believing the checks and balances sufficient to protect our individual liberty, and argued that an enumeration of "we the peoples'" rights would give the government permission to take over in areas not listed. The Federalists feared a Bill of Rights might actually harm individual liberty. What do you think? Join our panel and Constitutional expert Tara Ross for this powerful discussion.

Anti-Federalist Paper Series-Ep. 10: The Powers of the New Government: Brutus V, Agrippa VII and Federalist 45 Sep 10, 2021

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Power. Should it rest with the states or with the federal government? The Articles of Confederation did an incomplete job in assigning powers such as commerce and taxation so The Founders held a Constitutional Convention to address these concerns. Brutus and Agrippa had concerns that the "common defense and general welfare" clause in the new constitution was too broad. Madison responded to this concern in Federalist 45 that the power of the general government are few and defined while the power to the states are many and undefined. Brutus and Agrippa thought a too strong general government would suck away power from the states while Madison felt a union with too weak a government could crumble. What do you think? Join our panel and the ever-informative Professor Gordon Lloyd for this week's discussion that has profound relevance even today.

Anti-Federalist Paper Series-Ep. 9: Unity of the Executive: Cato V and Federalist 70 Sep 03, 2021

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Have you ever noticed that Article 2 of the Constitution, which creates the presidency, is much shorter than Article 1, which creates Congress? The Founders knew the President's powers needed to be "flexible" since that's the only branch of government which serves year-round. The Anti-Federalists felt this was dangerous as the President could become a Caesar with undefined powers. Hamilton and the Federalists were happy with a stronger central government with a strong executive. What do you think? Has our Executive Branch grown to be too big with too much power or does this structure allow our country to properly assign blame, echoing President Truman's famous slogan, "the buck stops here?" Join our panel and Professor Joerk Knipprath as we discuss both of these points of views in this week's chat.

Anti-Federalist Paper Series-Ep. 8: The Role of the Second Branch: Brutus XVI and Federalist 63 Aug 26, 2021

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In Brutus XVI, the Anti-Federalists expressed concerns over the design of the senate even though they felt the senate was needed for their preferred type of government. They feared the senate design as a threat to liberty because of the consolidation of central power at the expense of the states and the people. In Federalist 63, Madison argued against these fears with the need for predictability and stability. Please join our panel and constitutional expert, Professor Michael Zuckert from the University of Notre Dame, as we explore Brutus' concerns, the concessions Madison promulgated and what our guest likes to call "short-leash republicanism."

Anti-Federalist Paper Series-Ep. 7: The Role of the First Branch: Brutus III and Federalist 55 Aug 20, 2021

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James Madison wrote in Federalist 55, "Had every Athenian been a Socrates; every Athenian assembly would still have been a mob." What did he mean? The Founders knew representation was central to the American experiment so it was no accident that the Constitution created our legislative branch before any other. They were also wary of that branch having too much law-making power so they split that authority into a bicameral legislature. While the Federalists wanted to give more power, like taxation, to Congress, the Anti-Federalists were wary of such "enlargement." Unsurprisingly, that debate continues today. Please join our panel and special guest Tony Williams from the Bill of Rights Institute as we deep dive into the structure of the "first branch."

Anti-Federalist Paper Series-Ep. 6: The Separation of Powers-Brutus II and Federalist 51 Aug 13, 2021

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James Madison wrote that "the great difficulty" of creating a system of government is finding the way it can "control ITSELF."

Are checks and balances enough to protect your rights? The Anti Federalists thought no! What do you think? Is a Bill of Rights needed with a strong constitution that delegates and, more importantly, LIMITS power? This was a major debate among the founding fathers and it still rages on today. Join our panel and special guest Professor Christopher Burkett of the Ashbrook Center of Ashland Unversity as we discuss who was the most likely author of Brutus III, the anti-federalists' fears about the treaty powers of the executive branch, "the great compromise" at the Constitutional Convention, James Madison's role in the Bill of Rights, and much more!

Anti-Federalist Paper Series-Ep. 5: The Role of the Executive: An Old Whig V and Federalist 71 Aug 06, 2021

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Does the Executive branch have TOO much power? The Anti-Federalists thought so! What do YOU think? This was a major debate among the founding fathers and it still rages on today. Join our panel and special guest Professor Gordon Lloyd of the Pepperdine School of Public Policy as we discuss the term of office of the presidency; the difference between a monarch and the president; the difference between "Whigs" and "Old Whigs" and how all of this is relevant today!

Anti-Federalist Paper Series-Ep. 4: The Improved Science of Politics: Brutus I and Federalist 9 Jul 30, 2021

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Does the "Necessary and Proper Clause" in our Constitution restrict our freedom? The Anti-Federalists thought so. This was a major debate among the founding fathers and it still rages on today.

Join our panel and special guest Professor Joerg Knipprath of Southwestern Law School as we discuss the anti-federalists concerns about the U.S. Constitution, including the "necessary and proper clause," the nature of a republic; republic vs. democracy; and what Hamilton meant by "The Improved Science of Politics." How is all of this relevant today? Listen and find out!

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