Did the founding fathers intend America to be a democracy first, or capitalist first?

Question

If America voted for socialism, what would Jefferson do?

Answer 1

As Doug Moody said: "Capitalism is the bastard child of democracy." I suspect our founding fathers favored a democratic republic first; capitalism came a result of that decision. -RKO- 08/26/07

Answer 2

The word democracy does not appear even once in the constitution. Democracy is two wolves and a sheep deciding what's for dinner. In a republic, the sheep is armed to the teeth. Ben Franklin said that. The framers of the constitution (at least, most of them) were opposed to private central banking, which is a major part of the communist manifesto. Today Americans see no harm in private central banking, even though we wouldn't have to pay Federal Income Tax if it didn't exist. As far as Jefferson goes, I've read a lot of what he wrote and said in his lifetime. His main philosophoical belief was that men should have individual liberty. He didn't agree with taxes, so he would never have agreed with socialism. He believed that if the gov't focused on economy, taxes would be unnecessary, because a gov't can always make money to pay its debts in a healthy economy. For the guy who said he was a liberal socialist, please don't try to revise history to suit your fantasy of America's founders siding with modern Democrats. They would probably find both parties today despicable.

Answer 3

Well, he's dead, so not much. :-)

All kidding aside, interesting question. The government they laid out in their instructions (Declaration of Independence and Constitution) is not technically a democracy, but rather, a representative democratic republic. However, no mention of capitalism is given in either document. I think they were modeling the government after a democracy first and foremost, but recognizing that a true democracy is an inherently flawed system, they wanted to create their own form of it that would suit the needs of the people of this country.

Answer 4

I would say that with the trade that was going on between the Colonies and Europe, America was already a capitalist society before the Founding Fathers considered independence. Therefore, why would they have to consider something that was already in place?

Answer 5

Probably shake his head at the silly notions of socialists and reiterate what he'd already said on the topic:

The policy of the American government is to leave their citizens free, neither restraining nor aiding them in their pursuits.

[Ours is a] policy of not embarking the public in enterprises better managed by individuals, and which might occupy as much of our time as those political duties for which the public functionaries are particularly instituted. Some money could be lent them [the New Orleans Canal Co.], but only on an assurance that it would be employed so as to secure the public objects.

Answer 6

"We are now forming a Republican form of government. Real Liberty is not found in the extremes of democracy, but in moderate governments. If we incline too much to democracy, we shall soon shoot into a monarchy, or some other form of dictatorship." -Alexander Hamilton.


the definition of the word DEMOCRACY in the 1928 Army training manual:
"A government of the masses. Authority is derived through mass meeting or any other form of direct expression. Results in mobocracy, attitude toward property is communistic - negating property rights.
Attitude toward law is that the will of the majority shall regulate, whether it be based on deliberation or governed by passion, prejudice, and impulse, without restraint or regard to consequence. Results in demagogism, license, agitation, discontent, anarchy."

Answer 7

Capitalist -- 'One Nation Under God'

Check out -- http://www.earstohear.net/

If it were'nt for the Founding Fathers strong held faith in God, and requiring students to learn the bible from elementary all the way to college, this country would'nt be as far as we have come. God was the highest order of the day.

The reason the Founders came to America -- Romans 8:28-- They came to do the work of Almighty God and that they may freely worship Him without restriction.

'If God be for us, Who can be against us?' If we love God, and put Him first we are a strong Nation.

They escaped the danger they were in during those Darkest of Ages from Evil people the Atheists of their time.

You see what has happened to Europe now? They have allowed the Liberals to take over. The only way Europe will ever be brought back to civility is if they turn back to God.

The same thing is happening today in America, people are rejecting God more and more, They don't see a need in Him in their lives any longer, destruction can only result as a consequence of events.

WAKE UP AMERICA!!!

Answer 8

Democracy first; now where is capitalism even mentioned in the founding father's paper work that I know of.

Historical indications imply that Tommy Jefferson was a liberal socialist himself, so I assume he would be quite happy.

Answer 9

They never intended for the United States to be a Democracy. We are (as they intended) a Republic.

Answer 10

Democracy first. We're a representative democracy, not a republic. It should be based on what the people want. And it would more likely look like "socialism" with nationalized health care, schools, and other helpful programs. And more corporate regulations like protective tarrifs and other restrictions on imports to enourage American industry and growth. Corporations would likely have to pay more taxes, be penalized for pollution and poisoning Americans, and hiring of illegal slave labor. Sounds great. More democracy and less of "this is a Republic" crap!