The Difference between the Democrats and the Whigs - Essay Example

Parties have different beliefs and views regarding freedom. In the United States, the rivalry between two parties has been popular which started the second-party system. Two of the most known parties which opposed each other are the Democrats and the Whigs. These two parties have been opposing each other in the perception of freedom even since the early 1830s.

The Democrats are known as the Jacksonian party. The first major leader of the party was Andrew Jackson. Democrats have viewed freedom as in favor of states’ right more than the federal government. They believe that the state can be very influential as a positive factor in assisting the people in society (Herrick and Stuart 336). Also, they see equality as a vital factor for freedom in society. Democrats believe in a sense of equality in society because, for them, it gives an impact on people who long for belongingness. As Herrick and Stuart stated, “Democrats believe in equality because it reduces alienation and creates a greater sense of social belonging” (336). Moreover, democrats view society that is composed of rules for “haves” and “have not” (Norton et al. 325). Democrats view freedom as having such a just, humanitarian, and democratic society. They believe that freedom should be considered private and that individuals are entitled to secure its stability. Democrats chose to believe that having equal rights, is the best way to ensure the effectiveness of freedom in society. Herrick and Stuart noted that the state is the one that can control the economy by using social and rational planning as what Democrats believe (336). Also, the state is held responsible for economic planning so that the needs of the people in the society will be achieved.

On the other hand, Whigs viewed freedom as having an active federal government. They believe that having an active government can help enhance the freedom of society. Whigs are more in favor of an activist government in terms of economic expansion (Norton et al. 325). Hence, they are more supportive of corporate charters, paper currency, and even the national bank, which is the total opposite of Democrats (Norton et al. 325). Whigs see freedom as a result of social reforms and progress. For the Whigs, giving influence to the political minorities regarding reform associations can best express freedom in its form of serving the society for the common good (Norton et al. 325). However, this idea is viewed by Democrats as an improper way of giving freedom to society. As Democrats favored equal rights, Whigs, on the other hand, favored equal opportunities. In addition, Whigs insist that the federal government can help instill and put self-disciplined and self-directed freedom in each individual. The energetic government and active moral reform can best exercise freedom as what Whigs believe (Norton et al. 325). Thus, Whigs support new banks, the availability of corporate and bank charters, and paper currency. However, Democrats never agreed to a paper currency (Norton et al. 325). Whigs have favored bank corporations, while Democrats have not. While Whigs remain to be industrialists and nationalists, Democrats stayed to the belief that every individual can take a position.
Indeed, these two parties have opposite views regarding freedom in society. Dayton quoted that because of the “two recognized powers, that of the individual and that of the state, we being strictly and a free people, these two, and these only, appear as parts in the government of the center” (6). The power which gives freedom to individuals should have a real and just reason for using it. This power should have the kind of power that spreads equality, not in the sense that it overrules the weak. Hence, the freedom that is viewed by the Democrats is the same as the power that gives equality in terms of the individual’s rights while the Whigs’ view of freedom is the power to use the rights of individuals when it comes to equal opportunities (Dayton 6). Read More