The Constitution was written by members of the upper social class, especially wealthy white men who owned land or businesses. These people were either lawyers, planters, or merchants, like George Washington and James Madison. People of the lower classes were excluded from this, this included poor farmers, laborers, women, enslaved people even free African Americans, and Native Americans. These groups had little to no political power and were not allowed to participate in the process. The main difference between the classes were access to wealth, education, and political influence.

Early US society had a very different class structure than today. Political rights were limited mostly to white men who owned property, which excluded many people. Today, although economic inequality still exists, most adults can vote regardless of wealth, race, or gender. Social mobility is also more possible now than it was in the early United States.

The writers of the US Constitution feared democracy because they worried the lower classes would gain too much power. They believed poor citizens might vote based on emotion or personal interest instead of stability. Events like Shays’ Rebellion made elites fear that popular rule could threaten property and their wealth. Because of this the writers designed a system of government that limited direct democracy while still allowing public participation.