The social class that primarily wrote the Constitution was the elite, consisting of wealthy landowners, merchants, and lawyers. They held significant political and economic power, as seen in Reading 6.1, where Madison argues for a government that protects property rights. On the other hand, the excluded class was the working class, including farmers, laborers, and enslaved people. They were marginalized and lacked political representation, as highlighted in Reading 6.2, where Zinn discusses the struggles of ordinary people against elite rule.

The social class structure of early
United States society was different from ours today. In the past, the society was predominantly agrarian, with wealth and power
concentrated among landowning elites. Slavery also played a significant role, further stratifying society. Today, while wealth inequality persists,there are more diverse avenues to success, and social mobility is theoretically more achievable due to advancements in education, technology, and labor laws.

The framers of the Constitution feared democracy because they were concerned about the potential for majority rule to threaten their own interests and property rights.
The elite class, which held power during the drafting process, sought to establish a system of government that would protect their wealth and influence from being eroded by the will of the masses. They feared direct democracy, believing it could lead to mob rule and instability, as seen in their preference for a representative republic.