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Video: The Federalist View of the Constitution

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The United States Constitution is widely misinterpreted today because, in the 19th century, the nationalist interpretation of the document won out. But establishing a nation-​state wasn’t the intent of the founders — clearly, if one looks at the debates over ratification in the states. For remember: it was the states that debated and accepted a narrow view of the Constitution as establishing a federation. Not a “nation,” and certainly not an empire.

Two notes of caution: 1. This is a conversation between historian Tom Woods and historian Brion McClanahan, and they are pitching a series of online lectures that I’ve not seen (but am tempted to take a look at: perhaps you will be, too). 2. This is a YouTube video, and many of the comments are not worth reading because ill-​mannered and crude.

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