Federalist
UK: ˈfɛdərəlɪst | US: ˈfɛdərəlɪst
n. A supporter of federalism or a federal system of government.
n. (Historical) A member or advocate of the Federalist Party in early U.S. politics.
federalist = federal<relating to a union of states> + ist<one who supports>
- federal: Derived from Latin foedus (treaty, league), reflecting a union-based governance structure.
- ist: A suffix from Greek -istes, denoting an adherent of a system or ideology.
Etymology Origin:
The term emerged in the late 18th century during debates over the U.S. Constitution, combining federal (an earlier spelling of "federal") with -ist to label proponents of centralized governance. It encapsulates the ideological divide between federal unity (e.g., the Federalist Papers) and states' rights.
Alexander Hamilton was a prominent Federalist who advocated for a strong central government.
The Federalist Papers were written to persuade states to ratify the Constitution.
Modern federalists in Europe support greater political integration among EU nations.
Critics accused the Federalist Party of favoring elite interests over democracy.
The debate between Federalists and Anti-Federalists shaped early American political identity.