A political philosophy opposing strong central government and favoring local, state, or regional control and independence.
From anti- (against) + federalism. This ideology directly opposed the Federalist movement in early American history and continues in various forms today.
Antifederalism in America had an interesting paradox: while Federalists wanted a strong national government to prevent chaos and unite the states, Antifederalists feared concentrated power—yet the Antifederalists won the debate partly through the Bill of Rights, which actually strengthened the Constitution by protecting individual liberties, showing sometimes losing politically means winning philosophically.
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