The Jeffersonian Democracy, which was named after its advocate and political philosopher Thomas Jefferson, was one of the most out looked political movements in the early 1800s in American political history. The Jefferson ideologies were to create a democratic state whereby people had rights that protected them from state injustices. Some of the doctrines included absolute accession in the decision of the majority. He believed in the rule of the majority, whereby state governance would be done through voting. He thought that this would grant more people power to vote for systems and leaders that they wanted. He advocated for this, as it would create an appropriate course for the public (Peterson, 2018). Jefferson’s were set the precedent for the creation of modern-day America, in which participation of the citizens in the formation of the government and respect for civil rights are paramount.
Jefferson advocated for a rigorous, straightforward, and frugal central government. Through this, he made sure that he reduced the size of the navy, cutting off internal taxes and paying off the government’s debt. Even though Federalists advocated for a stable central government, Jefferson felt that a central government would, in time, create political power, which would result in a social disorder. He saw a government that solely concentrated on international projects rather than focusing on both individual and political issues.
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In the early 1800s, the economy was mainly dependent on agriculture. Industries and manufacturing started coming up during Jefferson’s tenure. However, Jefferson discouraged them because he was afraid that the locals who practised agriculture would lose their economic source, making them vulnerable and easily manipulated. He foresaw a state where, due to manufacturing, international trade would be created, which would lead to more revenue levies, subjecting the locals to economic manipulation. He, therefore, advocated for a state whereby the rich who could import goods be taxed more, and the poor to only pay general government tax.
Jeffersonian Democracy advocated for a democratic state, where people could choose a government that they felt suitable. This was enhanced by upholding suffrage rights for all American citizens (Peterson, 2018). Currently, in the United States, people have the right to choose the government they want. The elected officials represent the citizens and their concerns. Any citizen who wishes to vie for an elective position is allowed long as they meet the minimum qualifications. The practice of voting has gone ahead to show that America is a democratic country.
One of the foremost advocacies of President Jefferson was the bill of equality. It made sure that both the minor and majority groups had equal rights (Peterson, 2018). The fight for human rights has transcended to the contemporary United States. The equality bill amendment was recently enacted, whereby women activists advocated for equal opportunities in the male-dominated sectors. The bill would also protect women against discrimination on the basis of sex. It also ensured that women were provided with medical abortion funds and access to contraceptive care. The government has succeeded in ensuring that women, the gender considered to be minor has equal opportunities to their counterparts.
Today, Thomas Jefferson is celebrated for his democratic reforms in the United States. Jefferson stood with the idea that Britain threatened American values due to monarchy and aristocracy. In the modern-day world, America is seen to have adopted the policy and carried the system forth. The US governments have been in contention with other nations that do not seem to subscribe to their policies. They attempt to impose their policies on other countries on how leaders should be elected, and this falls away from what democracy stands for (Clarke & Ricketts, 2017). A democratic state should not interfere in the internal affairs of another country. Recent US administrations have been seen forcing other countries to adhere to court requirements of the international criminal court regardless of them not being signatories of the court.
In conclusion, the United States has succeeded in keeping the Jeffersonian democracy advocacy alive. Through the succeeding decades, American governments have created a state where people have equal rights, regardless of race and gender. They have given people a free democratic will whereby people have the power to choose the leaders they want. Even in the events of the constitution failing, the government allows for amendments so that all groups are heard and given equal rights. Therefore, the constructs of Jefferson Democracy are salient in the modern-day U.S politics.
References
Clarke, M., & Ricketts, A. (2017). Shielding the Republic: Barack Obama and the Jeffersonian Tradition of American Foreign Policy. Diplomacy & Statecraft , 28 (3), 494-517.
Peterson, J. (2018). Summary of the Ideas and Values of Jeffersonian Democracy. The Classroom. Retrieved from https://www.theclassroom.com/summary-ideas-values-jeffersonian-democracy-14320.html
