What philosophy did the Democratic Republicans advocate regarding government power?

The Democratic-Republicans, founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in the early 19th century, strongly advocated for a limited role for the federal government. They believed that power should predominantly rest with the individual states and that the federal government should have restricted authority. This philosophy stemmed from their commitment to republicanism and a fear of tyranny, which they believed could arise from a powerful central government.

The party emphasized a strict interpretation of the Constitution, arguing that the federal government should only exercise powers explicitly granted to it while leaving other powers to the states and the people. This idea aligned with their priority of promoting agrarianism and the interests of farmers, which they felt were often overshadowed by urban and industrial interests. Through this approach, the Democratic-Republicans aimed to encourage greater democratic participation at the local level and prevent the concentration of power that could lead to despotism. Their vision contributed significantly to the ongoing debate in American politics over the balance of power between federal and state governments.