Has Jeffersonian America Run Its Course?

Written by Frank Li

Can any country possibly be more exceptional than America, which was founded with neither a king nor a pope? No, of course not! Yet, today, not only is America most religious among the developed countries, she also seems to be yearning for a king, if not a living God (Is Donald Trump a God?).

Why is that?

Jeffersonian America has run its course!

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1. What is Jeffersonian America?

Simply put, America has been Jeffersonian throughout its life so far.

Because there is yet to be a definition for “Jeffersonian America” in my favorite source (i.e. Wikipedia), let me succinctly define it as follows:

1. Government: A loose union with a small Federal government, leaving the people, including state and local governments, alone (i.e. liberty).
2. Armed citizens: Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
3. Church and state: Separated.

2. Why is America Jeffersonian?

To answer the question, we must go all the way back to the founding days …

There were two very different visions for America: Alexander Hamilton (representing the Federalist Party) vs. Thomas Jefferson (representing the Democratic-Republican Party).

Jefferson’s vision for America could be highlighted in three points as follows:

1. Government: A loose union with a small Federal government, leaving the people, including state and local governments, alone (i.e. liberty).
2. Economy: A strong economy with agriculture.
3. Military: No standing army, but armed militia groups all over the country.

Hamilton’s vision could be highlighted in three points as follows:

1. Government: A tight union with a strong Federal government.
2. Economy: A strong economy with industry, commerce, and finance (e.g. money, banking, and debt control).
3. Military: A standing army.

In short, Hamilton wanted hard work to create a strong union, hopefully matching Britain in power eventually, while Jefferson wanted a minimalist Federal government for a “country of nature”.

George Washington, our first President and a Federalist, balanced well between Hamilton, our first Secretary of Treasury, and Jefferson, our first Secretary of State.

Hamilton ran Treasury very well and laid a solid financial foundation for America. For example, he created a central bank, first assuming all the war debts by the 13 states and then paying them off. It was a good step towards building a strong Federal government.

However, Jefferson was always there as a counter force to Hamilton, not only throughout the eight years of the Washington administration, but also throughout the four years as the Vice President in the John Adams administration.

The debate between Hamilton (i.e. the Federalists) and Jefferson (i.e. the Democratic-Republicans) was over after eight years of the Jefferson presidency, followed by eight years of the presidency under James Madison, a well-known disciple of Jefferson.

History is written by, and about, the winners!

Two notes:

1. Economy: Jefferson made full use of the solid financial foundation laid by Hamilton, especially in expanding westwards, against his own vision of a minimalist government. For more, read: Expansionism: Woodrow Wilson vs. Thomas Jefferson.
2. Separation of church and state: There was no disagreement between Hamilton and Jefferson.

3. How did Jeffersonian America do?

Very well for the first 200 years! Two examples:

1. We even solved one of the biggest problems inherited from Britain: slavery. Unfortunately, the cost was very high – More American soldiers were killed in the American Civil War than all the other wars combined (until 2014).
2. America became a “shining city upon a hill”.

4. How is Jeffersonian America today?

Deeply in trouble!

Simply put, the government does not work (anymore)!

Specifically, here are our four big problems:

1. Democratic Imperialism: War is perpetual, with the worst example being the Iraq War.
2. Democratic Socialism: Work is optional for many Americans.
3. National debt: It is more than $21 trillion, growing.
4. Gun violence: Our government has failed in its job #1: protecting the lives of its citizens. For more, read: America: Guns vs. Slavery.

In other words, it’s the worst nightmare for Jefferson! Specifically, here is the reality against Jeffersonian America, the original version:

1. Government: A loose union compared with a bloated Federal government that does not even work, while accumulating a huge national debt.
2. Armed citizens: Gun violence is everywhere. Besides, we have a huge standing army that constantly requires enemies to justify its existence. For more, read: America: A Standing Army or Armed Militia – Pick One!
3. Church and state: They are becoming more and more mixed. Here is a recent news story: Donald Trump warns of ‘violence’ if Republicans lost midterms – President was heard urging Christian ministers to sway voters and alluding of leftwing violence in leaked audio.

It’s also the worst nightmare for Hamilton, especially the parts on government, debt, and of course the more mixed church and state.

Why such a nightmare? Two main reasons:

1. Jeffersonian America has run its course. For more, read the image below.
2. “We, the People” have failed to adapt, thanks to democracy! For more, read: End of Democracy?

5. America tomorrow

“We, the People” simply do not know what to do, other than trying something, anything, dramatically different, such as electing someone very different to be the President – First Barack Obama and then Donald Trump! For more, read: The Second American Revolution under Way?

Unfortunately for America, nobody can truly make America great again without fundamentally reforming our political system.

Fortunately for America, I have the most accurate diagnosis for America, as well as the best solution. Better yet, both have been documented in my last book: American Democracy – Why is it failing & how to fix it? Please read and judge for yourself.

6. Discussion

Time is the best judge for everything!

Once again, let’s go back to the founding days …

America inherited at least three big “issues” from Britain:

1. Slavery.
2. Armed militia all over the country, but without a standing army.
3. Thirteen “ungrateful” colonies, which were fiercely independent.

Hamilton envisioned a strong Federal government to address all these big issues. He was proven right on Issue 1 at least, because it was finally addressed by President Lincoln. All the remaining issues may require the same effort, ultimately (e.g. America: Guns vs. Slavery).

However, Jefferson thought otherwise, preferring a “country of natureâ€, or a “weak†Federal government.

When a government is weak, religion rises, as is the case everywhere in the world throughout human history. America has proven to be no exception. For more, read: Church vs. State.

There is no way for us to know how a Hamiltonian America would have looked like. But everything considered, I think Hamilton actually had a more enduring vision for America. For more, read: Vision for America: Alexander Hamilton vs. Thomas Jefferson.

Hindsight is 20/20. We study history, the real one (American History 2.0), for one reason, and one reason only: to best understand the present and foresee the future.

Two informative readings:

1. “All Men Are Created Equalâ€, Really?
2. “We the People,†Really?

The image blow is worth more than 1,000 words.

Now, why 2030? That is when China will catch up with the U.S. in GDP. Furthermore, China’s Yuan will become a strong alternative to the US dollar as a major reserve currency, thus ending the Petro-dollar. For more on this, wait for my future publications.

Bottom line: No country can possibly be great without a great government! Jeffersonian America, by principle and design, is not meant to have a great Federal government. Therefore, Jeffersonian America is not meant to be great! Yes, the “country of nature†was great for a while, but unsustainable.

In short, Jeffersonian America has run its course.

Governance is very hard.

For example, China has been struggling on governance throughout its 5,000 years of civilization. It seems to have finally found its own path to success, by having a functioning government that is the best in the world for now. For more, read: Towards an Ideal Form of Government.

In a 2-hiker world, all one hiker needs to do, when chased by a hungry grizzly, is to run a bit faster than the other hiker.

Two informative readings:

1. Governance in China: Past, Present, and Future.
2. Governance in America.

7. Closing

America, reform our failing political system, as I have suggested, or become a fiddle, second to China!

Now, please sit back and enjoy the long video below.