with conventions in the states, the delegates to those conventions were selected by the voters in the states. In other words, voters who wanted the Constitution to be ratified voted for delegates who were pledged to voting for ratification. Basic principles -- to authorize the federal government to exist, to dictate that government's structure, and to delegate to that government its powers.
Because of the Federalist advantage, they pushed for quick ratification in the states. It's principals were popular sovereignty, limited government, separation powers, federalism, checks and balances, and a representative government
9.4m questions
12.1m answers