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Definition of democracy Democracy is a term referring to a form of government whereby all citizens are equally eligible in the creation, development and proposal of laws. It is a principle of freedom meant to improve the citizen lives and the cities. It is when the people in a nation are the main source of political power either directly or through elected representatives. Democracy encompasses economic, cultural and social conditions which enable freedom and equality in the practice of political self determination. In a democratic nation, power is not held only by the government or a small group of individuals but the entire citizens.
The main characteristics of democracy include: freedom, equality and rule of law. In a representative democracy, there are no unreasonable restrictions when it comes to voting and each vote has got equal weight. The eligibility of the citizens is secured by liberties and legitimized rights which are protected by the U. S. constitution. According to Abraham Lincoln, democracy is the government of the people, for the people and by the people (Isakhan & Stockwell 110). Thomas Jefferson and Alexander are the best known democratic spokesperson in the 1790s.
The two worked hard to benefit the nation and also to set up democracy. However, they had completely different styles of democracy. Hamilton executed a federal government while Jefferson executed a democratic republican government. Jefferson was mainly a man of the people who had faith in the governance of common people particular farmers and he wished to lower the qualifications for voting. Hamilton on the other hand believed that American strength depended on commerce hence the educated, wellborn and rich were the people who could govern the nation (Diamond & Richard 102).
He saw America as a nation of entrepreneurs, financiers, businessmen and bankers. The government role was therefore to help these people to successfully compete in the global marketplace. Jefferson however saw America as a nation of frontier settlers, artisans, small farmers and shopkeepers. He wanted to eliminate internal taxes while Hamilton wanted to maintain the internal taxes. Hamilton supported loose interpretation of the U. S. constitution while Jefferson supported strict interpretation of the U. S. constitution since it protected the human rights.
Nevertheless, Jefferson did a great job as a democrat spokes person. Jefferson together with his trusted friend, James Madison established a nation with great democracy by the end of 1816. The nation experienced a peaceful change in politics and its democratic and nationalistic spirit was strengthened. He favored a weak central government and reduced the size of military to do away with chances of dictatorship. He never wanted the government to offer aid to trade, manufacturing and finance and greatly repealed excise taxes.
He lowered national debt and ended several federal jobs. Jefferson envied for a nation whereby citizens are independent. He opposed Hamilton’s views of high tariff policies, national debt, military and navy spending and national bank. His views were different from that of Hamilton regarding governance, economics and the structure of the government despite the fact that they were all democrats because Jefferson wanted to keep a limited and open government to end corruption and dictatorship (Diamond & Richard 104).
In conclusion, democracy is a principle of freedom meant to improve the citizen lives and the cities. Jefferson and Hamilton had different styles regarding democracy as they tried to make America a better place for the citizens. Nevertheless, Jefferson was a better spokesman for democratic government during 1790s as compared to Hamilton. Works Cited Diamond, Larry & Richard, Gunther. Political Parties and Democracy. New York: JHU Press, 2001. Print. Isakhan, Ben & Stockwell, Stephen . The Secret History of Democracy. MacMillan: Palgrave Publishers, 2011. Print.