Federalists:
- Believed in a strong central government with the power to regulate interstate commerce, raise revenue, and maintain a standing army and navy.
- Favored a system of checks and balances to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.
- Generally supported the idea of a limited democracy with a restricted electorate.
- Advocated for a federalist system of government where power is shared between the federal and state governments.
- Emphasized the importance of order, stability, and property rights.
Democratic-Republicans:
- Believed in a limited federal government with most power reserved for the states.
- Favored a decentralized government with more power in the hands of local communities and individuals.
- Supported a broader democracy with expanded voting rights and greater participation by the common people.
- Promoted the ideal of individual rights and freedoms, as well as the importance of popular sovereignty (the idea that the government's power comes from the consent of the governed).
- Emphasized the role of agriculture and the yeoman farmer as the foundation of society.
It is important to note that these are broad generalizations, and there was diversity of thought within both parties. The Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans engaged in debates and discussions about the nature of government, the role of the federal and state governments, and the rights of individuals. These debates shaped the development of the American political system and continue to influence political discourse today.