EVOLUTION OF DEMOCRACY

Democracy as a process takes time and transition from leadership experience various levels of its practice. Major democratic advances in America were experienced in the eighteenth century during the times of Presidents Jefferson and Jackson with President Jackson embracing more diversity towards democracy as compared to Jefferson (Innes & Philp, 2015). During their leadership regimes, the two presidents embraced different policies cutting across political, social and economic policies. Over the two presidential regimes, the country experienced significant growth in practice for democratic practices influenced by changing the understanding of human rights in society.

During the times of President Jefferson, the right to vote was restricted to persons in the society with significant property ownership. At the time, property ownership was perceived as an important element in shaping one’s character and as such voting rights were availed to the rich (Boles, 2017). Similarly, leadership was perceived as for the educated and consequently barred for the less fortunate in the society who had limited access to education. Moreover, at his regime, presidential nominations were led by a group of political party supporters. The practice blocked the input of the public in choosing or steering the direction for the president to be. Economically, President Jefferson’s leadership, the farmers owning farms were giver high rank and were treated as executively. The leadership as well as a preservative in adopting industrialization with the fear associated with its outcomes. Moreover, President Jefferson upheld the practice of monopoly which provided the economic privilege to the established business persons in the society (Boles, 2017). Socially, the regime embraced slavery and had outstanding gender and social inequality for women and Indian Americans. He as well had a strong perception of education as the key to democracy and also as the primary tool for leaders. Moreover, he believed in social mobility but unfortunately did not get the opportunity to implement the ambition.

To the contrary, President Jefferson regime erased the limitation to the right to vote and property ownership was not hindered by the material fact in the society (Kiewe, 2019). He as well eliminated the restriction on who qualified for leadership in the society. He did not perceive education as the drive towards good leadership and believed anyone in the society could lead and in a similar manner leadership needed to be shifted across all categories of leaders in the society irrespective of material possession, academic qualification and social ties acquired. He also introduced conventions for presidential candidates election and which took into consideration the needs and choices of the people (Kiewe, 2019). President Jackson as well embraced industrialization and was objective of its outcome and particularly in providing equal opportunities to business persons, farmers and risk takers. The leadership collectively focused to create equity in society and provide equal rights to all citizens.

The changes in the leadership style in America was importantly influenced by President Jackson who embraced diversity in human rights. Having come from a humbled poor family, he understood the needs of the average natives and fought for their rights (Innes & Philp, 2015). His educational abilities and experience with the military as well aided shape his understanding of governance and led in his way of structuring and leading the people of America. Collectively, education played a key role in shaping democracy. Industrialization played an important role in enhancing democracy and mainly in providing equal rights to business to all citizens interested in society. Industrialization as well led to the growth of a multinational culture which plays an important role in shaping democracy in the society.

References

Boles, J. B. (2017). Jefferson: Architect of American liberty. New York, NY: Basic Books.

Innes, J., & Philp, M. (2015). Re-imagining democracy in the age of revolutions: America, France, Britain, Ireland 1750-1850. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Kiewe, A. (2019). Andrew Jackson: A rhetorical portrayal of presidential leadership. Knoxville: The University of Tennessee Press.