When the framers of the constitution debated on the type of government America should be, they had to decide between a pluralist government, a participatory government, or an elitist government.
The federalists wanted a large pluralist government composed of elites, sorta like a mix between elitist and pluralist. They argued that this form of government would prevent a single party from taking over the government and oppressing minorities.
The anti-federalists believed that such a large government wouldn't be able to get anything done and wouldn't be able to accurately represent the people. The multitude of parties proposed by the federalists would have such diverse views that a majority would never be reached in the creation of any legislation.
As we know today, the federalists won the argument and were able to mold the government to their desires. But, they were cognizant of the fears the anti-federalists felt and implemented checks in the constitution to assuage such fears.
However, the framers couldn't have predicted the degree of polarization that we have today in our political parties. The knew the path to a more perfect union was "hemmed with peril" and they did everything in their power to keep the human desire for power at bay but it wasn't enough. As of a result of each party catering to their radical bases, the fears of the anti-federalists have been realized. The views of the two parties are so heterogeneous that they can't agree on anything, creating disastrous roadblocks that no bill can get through.
