Economic and Social Philosophies of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton - Essay Example

Contemporary Link Ever since current President of the United s took office two years ago, the debate has been raging about the role of federal government in the American society. Although the very same topic is always debated, this time around it seems as if though current issues with healthcare, economic crisis and, most recently, tax cuts brought the topic back in the spotlight. In its essence this debate involves two sides, one that claims that we have too much government, and one that claims that Washington involvement is necessary and dictated by current situation. And while debate goes on, American public is perceiving it as a standstill where not many things are being done where they should be done. In those circumstances, looking into the past for examples of people that had differing views, yet managed to contribute to the country’s development is something worthwhile. Introduction More than two centuries ago, two very influential men from the earliest days of American history debated the same issue, something expected to happen in a newly formed country that just freed itself from the British colonial rule. Following the American Revolution and proclamation on the United States, President George Washington have chosen two prominent politicians to help him build foundations of a new country. Washington named Alexander Hamilton to be the first Secretary of Treasury, and Thomas Jefferson to hold the post of the Secretary of State. Both Hamilton and Jefferson by the time of their appointments were very active in the political life, Jefferson was Governor of Virginia, and Hamilton served as a New York representative to the Continental Congress. Different Backgrounds Thomas Jefferson was born in Virginia and when his father died he inherited a great deal of property. He attended College of William and Mary where he studied law. He had great writing skills and therefore was chosen by the Continental Congress to be the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. Later he served as a Minister to France, Secretary of State under Washington and a Vice-president under John Adams, and ultimately as a third President. On the other hand, Alexander Hamilton came from more humble background. He was born in the British West Indies, his father abandoned him and his mother early, and his mother dies not long after that. Hamilton was, then raised by a Presbyterian minister, who financed him to King’s College, now Columbia University in New York. He distinguished himself during the Revolution and married a woman from the elite circles in New York, which opened many doors for him and influenced his future work. On Politics Jefferson and Hamilton could not be more different in their political views. The central issue for them was, not surprisingly, functioning of federal and state governments. It is important to note here that this issue was debated as the country needed strong foundations for the future. In this regard, Hamilton was a proponent of the strongest possible central government. In his “Federalist Papers” he pushed hard to prove that federal government should be centralized in the hands of educated, wealthy and wellborn few, drawing his point from his belief that those few should govern because they have much more at stake, cannot afford to make mistakes and risk losing their wealth. Because of this reasoning, Hamilton was supported by large landowners and wealthy businessmen. (Gjerde&Hoffmann 158) Contrary to him, Jefferson advocated stronger state governments as he believed that common people, especially farmers, are good, and that special privileges are to be distrusted, thus making the wealthy few in centralized government suspicious. Jefferson spoke strongly against influence of Washington, and in favor of a strict interpretation of the Constitution when it comes to powers of states and the federal government. (Gjerde&Hoffmann 156) On Economy The faith in common man that Jefferson emphasized in his political discussions is, also, a backbone of his economic arguments. He believed that the common man should be at the center of the US economy, envisioning his ideal America as a place filled with small, independent farmers, ones he called yeomen. (Gjerde&Hoffmann 156) Because these little farmers were, in fact, their own bosses and ran their own small farms/businesses it was Jefferson’s belief that they would work diligently on creating prosperous lives for themselves and their families. Based on that prosperity, then, the entire nation would prosper as well. At the same time, Jefferson often voiced his opposition to manufacturing as he contemplated that the massive expansion of commerce and industry would create a large size class of laborers who will not earn enough from their wages, and, therefore, will be dependant on others for their livelihoods. Jefferson even looked ahead and believed that said class would be susceptible to manipulation and economic exploitation. Hamilton, too, kept his political views in molding his economic plan. As a Secretary of Treasury in Washington’s administration, he proposed his financial plan that included, among other things, creation of a National Bank, tariffs on foreign trade, excise tax on whiskey and assumption of state debts, all in an effort to cut down country’s overall debt and establish the nation’s credit. (Gjerde&Hoffmann 157) He, in line with his political beliefs, called for the wealthy elite to lead country’s businesses and factories. Hamilton wanted the economy to be a balance of agriculture, trade, finance and manufacturing, with government aid being given to trade and finance more than to agriculture. The issue of the United States Bank, proposed by Hamilton in 1790, became a battleground between two men. Hamilton argued that a bank would help enforce the Constitution, help settle debt America faced at the time, and develop the country’s economy in a convenient way. Along Hamilton, many northern businessmen and wealthy landowners supported the bank formation. Jefferson, backed up by many farmers in the South had a very opposing view. He believed that a central bank would cut into states’ rights and centralize government even more. His supporters did not need a bank to succeed as their lives evolved around agriculture. While Hamilton argued that the bank would enforce the Constitution, Jefferson claimed that the Constitution does not have a clause in this matter , and that the bank is not necessary. Hamilton, however, won this argument as President Washington and, consequently, the Congress sided with him and the bank was established in 1791. On Social Issues From what was said thus far, it is clear that two men had significant differences in the matter of social issues too. As Hamilton advocated the rule of the elite few, he showed a great amount of distrust in common people. He suggested that they often acted foolishly, calling them unintelligent and inconsistent, rendering them incapable of ruling themselves. Simultaneously, Jefferson believed that men are divided into two general groups- those who fear and distrust people, and those who identify themselves with people, have confidence in them and find them to be honest and safe depository of public interests. Hamilton and Jefferson, still both understood that in the early stages of a country it takes effort from the government and from its citizens if a country is to survive and prosper. Summary Today, Americans overwhelmingly consider both Jefferson and Hamilton to be founding fathers, ones that contributed significantly to the development of this country. Very different in many ways, from their background, through political views and into economic policies, both Jefferson and Hamilton worked hard on developing a government of this country. From Thomas Jefferson American public learned the importance of democracy, individual rights and a subtle balance between states and the central government. From Hamilton came a strong central mechanism which would serve for years to come as a backbone of the governmental system. Despite the vast differences two men have shown during their political careers and life, American society learned important lessons about opposing views, compromises, sacrifices for the greater good and creating a best possible mixture of ideas that will advance the country. What we can learn from that today is that current political parties in a manner speaking mirror Jefferson and Jeffersonians, and Hamilton and Hamiltonians from two centuries ago. What democrats and republicans now don’t mirror is the ability to contribute to bettering this country. Both parties adopted and adapted almost all of ideas from Jefferson and Hamilton, but are unable to follow through on the most important one- finding a compromise in the interest of American people. Sources Hoffmann, EC and Gjerde, J. Major Problems in American History Volume 1: to 1877 (New York: Houghton and Mifflin Co, 2007) Brinkley, A. American History: A Survey, Volume 1 (New York, McGraw Hill, 2009) Read More