In what ways do 'Jeffersonian' and 'Hamiltonian' concepts of American government and democracy differ from each other?

The role of central government was another issue on which Hamilton and Jefferson disagreed.  The Hamiltonian conceptualisation of government recognises federal government as the stronghold of the United States’ political system. Although Jefferson acknowledged the necessity of central government in its role maintaining social security, he emphasized that the role of the individual was far more important, and subsequently Jeffersonian democracy maintains that the government is only as strong as those it governs. Jefferson said that “Most bad government has grown out of too much government” ; a phrase which encapsulates the Jeffersonian view on the role of the presidency and congress. Jefferson staunchly opposed Hamilton’s view that Federal Government should use an ‘elastic interpretation’ of the constitution to radically modernize the nation, as he saw this as an attempt to extend the central government’s power. Hamilton’s distrust of popular opinion was the cause of this, and the Hamiltonian view was that federal government was far better informed in making decisions about America than the masses. However, Jefferson believed that the people were the ‘final authority in government’ and states’ rights to govern were the most important. In a similar fashion to the issue of the Presidential prerogative, the issue at the root of the role of central government is the opposing views on the reading of the constitution.

Economically, the Jeffersonian and Hamiltonian ideals differ greatly too. Jefferson believed that America’s success lay in its agrarian roots whereas ‘Hamilton’s economic plan hinged on the promotion of manufacturers and commerce’ as well as encouraging the growth of business. In turn, these beliefs led to quite arguably the biggest disagreement that Jefferson and Hamilton had; the issue of the National Bank.  Hamilton envisaged a national bank similar to that of the English, to consolidate individual states’ debts under the federal government, maintain public credit and created protective subsidies and tariffs to encourage manufacture.  Jefferson on the other hand opposed such reform. He was tentative to create a ‘Bank of the United States’ which had too much English influence. He also argued that such an institution was unconstitutional; the constitution did not give congress the right to establish an independent bank. Hamilton’s view however was:  “If all the public creditors receive their dues from one source [the government]…their interest[s] will [be] the same. And having the same interests, they will unite in support of the fiscal arrangements of the government.”  Hamilton’s justification explained  that one bank for the entire United States would lead to American creditors uniting in support of the government.  This would subsequently kick-start the economy and eliminate domestic factions arising.  Such a bank would offer more stability, but would also give the central government more power, an issue that Jefferson and Hamilton already had volatile views on. As is a recurring theme within the differences between the Hamiltionian and Jeffersonian concepts of government, the constitutionality of Hamilton’s economic policy was questionable, but as America’s subsequent period of prosperity proved, it was a more successful option than Jefferson’s support of “those who labour in the earth”. 

Due to their strong beliefs, both Jefferson and Hamilton gained followers and in turn, instigated the early two party system. Hamilton’s Federalist Party was staunchly opposed to Jefferson’s Democrat –Republican Party and vice versa. It was within both parties that the true ideals of ‘Hamiltonian’ and ‘Jeffersonian Democracy’ were practiced. For both Hamilton and Jefferson, their political philosophy was advocated by those within their party and such philosophy is another factor on which they clashed. Hamilton’s interests lay in the advancement of new business and in particular manufacture. He believed that federal government was the most important institution, and that his introduction of the national bank would secure stability and prosperity for the nation. Hamilton’s supporters were firmly loyal to his ideals and as a consequence many members of his party were business men and bankers who supported his economic policies. The difference in the Jefferson concept of democracy is a completely opposing message against the wealthy business men and what he saw as ‘corrupt’ factions in politics.. Jefferson advocated the rights of the ‘plain folk’ and was strongly opposed the aristocracy and the subsequent privilege it entailed. Jefferson has often been recognised as ‘the most democratic of the Found Fathers’and this is due to his strong message about the rights of individuals and their role in government. Political equality for all men was a vital principle of his own personal political philosophy, and it this principle that defines the Jeffersonian concept of American government. In contrast to the Hamiltonian perspective; Jeffersonian government was a servant of the people, not  a master.

Though it is clear that Jefferson and Hamilton had a multitude of differences; whether it be in policy, philosophy or even in character, they do share one defining feature. Both men defined a way of thinking in American politics which has had huge impact over the United States’ political history.  Hamilton was a pioneer and saw that industrial power had great potential and was a great way forward for the US. His support of federal government being a strong and powerful entity was the main reason the newly established nation was able to initially sustain itself. Jefferson, however, provided policies that offered a balance to Hamilton. Jefferson’s advocacy of states’ rights and agriculture assisted in offsetting the influence of Hamiltonian manufacturers. To conclude, evidently both the Jefferson and Hamiltonian views of American government needed aspects of the other to be successful; both ideologies are defined because they directly oppose the other, however, each viewpoint needed the other to ensure that government would be strong enough; but still represent the common man. To this day, politicians have to maintain a balance between ensuring strength in congress and the presidency but also represent individuals rights. This is the legacy  and essence of the Jeffersonian and Hamiltonian concepts of government; that differences should be harnessed to create stability and find a peaceful medium between the strength of federal government and the rights of the individual.

Bibliography

Ando. S - Hamilton Vs. Jefferson:

 -Accessed 12/11/2011

Bailey, Jeremy.D - Thomas Jefferson and Executive Power, Cambridge University Press, 2007

Clement Fatovic The American Journal of Political Science - Constitutionalism and Presidential Prerogative: Jeffersonian and Hamiltonian Perspectives –

Dr E.H Pearson Jefferson versus Hamilton  - Accessed 12/11/11

Michael Kazin, et al. eds. The Concise Princeton Encyclopedia of American Political History (2011) p 149

Staloff, Darren. Hamilton, Adams, Jefferson: The Politics of the Enlightenment and the American Founding. New York: Hill and Wang, 2005

Syrett, Harold. "Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18." Alexander Hamilton, Opinion on the Constitutionality of the Bank. 23 Feb. 1791. New York and London: Columbia University Press. 6 Nov 2006

‘The Online Library of Liberty - Thomas Jefferson, The Works of Thomas Jefferson, 12 vols. [1904]

• Accessed 12/11/2011

---