Final answer:
Alexander Hamilton believed that the government should be controlled by the elite. Hence the correct option is A.
Step-by-step explanation:
Alexander Hamilton, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, believed that the government should be controlled by the elite. This notion was rooted in his belief that the masses were prone to error and faction which could disturb the public good. Hamilton argued in various writings including the Federalist Papers that a strong central government led by well-educated and elite individuals would safeguard against the excesses of majority rule. In contrast, Thomas Jefferson advocated for more democratic inclusiveness, with a government that reflected the will of the yeoman farmers and ordinary citizens, fearing that the centralization of power would lead to monarchical elements.
In Federalist No. 68, Hamilton explained how the Electoral College would insulate the election of the President from manipulations, assuming that electors would be people of discernment capable of selecting leaders who embodied American values and interests. Also, in Federalist No. 70, he argued for a single executive believing it is easier to control one person than a group. He dispelled fears that such concentration of power could lead to tyranny by explaining that the separation of powers in the federal government would provide checks and balances, ensuring that no single branch could gain supremacy.
While Jefferson was concerned with creating a country based on the virtues of rural landowning citizens, Hamilton envisioned an economically powerful nation led by an executive capable of decisive action. To Hamilton, the idea that those with greater knowledge and understanding should lead was more practical and likely to succeed than a pure democracy.Hence the correct option is A.