Between Scylla and Charbydis: Anarchy, Tyranny, and the Debate Over a Bill of Rights

Abstract:     
Scylla and Chardydis are the mythical sea monsters who were said to have posed an inescapable threat to passing sailors traveling through the Strait of Messina: this article suggests that the Federalists and Antifederalists were the beasts between which the Bill of Rights had to pass.

As is evident by the debates between Federalists and Antifederalist during the Constitutional Convention, both sought to construct a framework that would preserve individual liberty and establish justice. Here, Professor Finkelman discusses the trials and tribulations during the debates that lead to the creation of the Bill of Rights. Despite a great deal of mistrust on the part of both Federalists and Antifederalists, they were able to come together in support on one of our nation’s most important founding documents.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 72

Keywords: Bill of Rights, Federalism, Anti-federalism

Accepted Paper Series