Political Philosophies

Running head : AMERICAN HISTORY

American Political Philosophy : 1789-1870

Name

Institution

American Political Philosophy 1789-1870

The period of late 18th century up to the mid late 19th century in the newly created United States of America was engaged in a fierce debate between the nature and the role that the government must assume . The two schools of thought that dominated the period are the Hamiltonian 's idea of strong central government and the idea of Jefferson 's inclination towards the individuality of the federal states

To understand these two schools

of thought pioneered by Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton , it would be helpful for us if we discuss their own foundational view on human nature . Thomas Jefferson , as a believer of the inalienable rights of human beings had prescribed the natural goodness of humanity . He believes that humans are rational in nature and are ought to decide for themselves . He trusted that the American land and the American farmers shall power the American economy . Seeing tyranny as the greatest evil , he opposes it or any forms of it , as tyranny of a political leader will negate the inalienable rights of each citizen . To prevent this kind of situation , he discouraged any form of centralization of power . Rather , he encouraged the spreading of power in different federal states and other smaller units of government (Malone 1933

On the other hand , Alexander Hamilton is the direct contrast of Thomas Jefferson in perceiving the nature of humans . For Hamilton , the people is a great...