The Federalist represents one side of one of the most momentous political debates ever conducted: whether to ratify, or to reject, the newly-drafted American constitution. This authoritative new edition presents in full all eighty-five Federalist papers, along with the sixteen letters of 'Brutus', the unknown New York Antifederalist. Each is systematically cross-referenced to the other, and both to the appended Articles of Confederation and US Constitution. Terence Ball provides all the standard series editorial features, making this the most accessible rendition ever of a classic of political thought in action.