Posted by
Jim on Thursday, July 03, 2008 9:00:00 AM
Revolutionary Republicanism
Paige Turner
“ A Constitution of Government once changed from
Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost,
is lost forever,” John Adams.
As we move into another election year, the term Revolutionary
Republicanism comes to mind. This political mindset separated
America from the rest of the world before, during, and after
the Revolutionary War. There was boldness unmatched
throughout history to create the most powerful Republic
on earth through this new political philosophy.
Revolutionary Republicanism is not taught
in the average Political Science 101 classes in American
Universities or Colleges today. The Ideology in itself
promotes ideas that are not implemented in this
nation’s political system. Politicians and leaders during
the Revolution possessed a deep burning passion for
freedom never before found in history. They held dear
their values and the freedoms that were exhibited by
the first settlers that came to this country.
The victory during the Revolution brought forth a need
for an identity of who the people were and what would
set them apart from the rest of the world. The Revolution
brought about camaraderie and uniqueness among the
American people. These ideas permeated American’s way
of thinking and the people declared themselves a new
people, a new race because they did not consider
themselves English. They were Americans.
The question arising during that time was: What would
set the colonist apart from the rest of the world and
England? They did not differ much in customs, language,
laws, fashions, medicine, or any other area. In all of this
great grand culture, there was nothing unique other than
calling themselves Americans. Deep within themselves,
the Patriots knew there was nothing that separated them
from the rest of the world. They had rejected a monarchial
system of government. They knew they must develop a
Republic for the good of the whole society but had to find
a way to bring the Republic into an existence that would be
for the people and by the people. Americans had rejected
a hierarchal society and longed for a different unexplored
new way of life. American’s threw aside the notion power
came from God to the crown. Jefferson wrote in the
Declaration of Independence that the power came from
God to nature. Therefore, through these beliefs, the
patriot’s ultimate goal was to balance Liberty and Power.
The Patriots knew political power in the hand of the
government always corrupted. They also knew at the
other end stood Liberty that never moved but could
be easily devoured bit by bit through a corrupt
government. They knew they had to find a way to
protect Liberty for the people. The Founding Fathers
feared democracy because they knew of the horrors
of the Tyranny of the Majority. Therefore, the Patriots
contemplated placing the power in the hands of the
government and knew the Republic could not stand
long if this took place for they knew power would corrupt.
The idea and philosophy of Revolutionary Republicanism
offered a new political solution. The Power should come
from the bottom up from the responsible self-regulated
will of the people. During this day and age this was
considered an insane idea, Political power in the
hands of the people?
Moreover, there was something that stood apart during
that time to make this new idea work, this was called
Public Virtue; the people’s willingness to put what was
best for the Republic before their own private interest.
The political social order came from the public order,
resting on the shoulders of each individual. They
believed there were enough Americans to make Public
Virtue successful through a daily and pragmatic venue.
By implementing this philosophy, Americans were
bought into the political process. Elections radically
changed because there were more elections and the
number of voters doubled over a very short period
of time. Because Revolutionary Republicanism had
so permeated into the hearts and minds of the people,
the average American citizen carried a copy of the
Constitution with them in 1790.
The desire to be different became evident in the
political make up of Americans because of the
philosophy put forth by the idea of Revolutionary
Republicanism. Because of the participation of the
people during this time, we can once again
celebrate another year of freedom. The importance
of the involvement of the people shows through the
history of our ancestors and the intention of the
Patriots during the development of our nation.
The question today is: Are we ready to take back
the power in our hands and let “Public Virtue”
be entrusted among us as a people once again?
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