This lecture covers classical and modern political thought, the organic roots of the United States, and John Locke's Second Treatise. It discusses Aristotle's views on roles in society and government by elites. It examines Locke's influence on American thought and his justification of capitalism through liberalism. It summarizes Locke's arguments for natural rights and how the social contract protects property, leading people to form civil societies with governments deriving power from the consent of the governed.

1. Western Political Thought
Dr. John Paul Tabakian
Political Science 5
Fall 2012 – Power Point #2

2. COURSE LECTURE: WEEK #2
Today’s Lecture Covers The Following:
• Classical & Modern Political Thought
• Organic Roots Of The United States
• John Locke’s “Second Treatise”
• American Persona
• Early Elite Influence In America
• Cosmopolitanism
• Manifest Destiny
• Capitalism & Democracy Are Similar
• Minor Paper Assignment #2
• Final-Major Paper

3. CLASSICAL POLITICAL THOUGHT
Aristotle states that inherent within man’s natural state of being,
there exist different roles that are designated according to the need
of any community. Special virtues are rewarded to those who
accept their roles without question, beginning with those terms
identified by Aristotle in the household, where the roles of
husbands, wives, children and slaves are defined. Roles are
assigned, for no man is able to exercise the same talents while
producing exact levels of quality in their finished work (Politics,
Book 1, Chapter 4, 1253b1). As the polis consists of citizens with
enough leisure time to participate in government functions, it is the
citizenry that determines those roles to be filled. Government itself
has no emotions, or soul. Rather, it is the political activism of a few
elites according to Aristotle that makes all government decisions.

4. MODERN POLITICAL THOUGHT
Classical liberalism refers to the beginning in terms of a
historical rendition of the periods capable of being identified in
which man existed. John Locke is recognized as being one of
the first to anticipate the rise of liberal thought in his time.
American political thought has been heavily influenced by
Lockean principle. Simply put, liberalism derived comes from the
straightforward ideology of capitalism, as one cannot have one
without the other. Locke justifies capitalism by utilizing liberalism
to criticize inequality, shaping everything around the premises of
liberty and equality, thus coming to the conclusion that society
cannot have one without the other.

5. ORGANIC ROOTS OF THE UNITED STATES (1)
In their quest for designing a viable representative government,
the founding fathers dedicated themselves to careful study of
the political philosophy of Europeans. Focusing primarily on
British political thinkers from the 16th and 17th century, the
founding fathers focused primarily on the natural rights of man,
which in turn varied according to the individual philosopher
studied. Over the course of their study, the founding fathers
openly discussed their opinions with one another so as to
properly bring forth differing views in order to prudently
construct a government that would protect individual liberty, as
well as determine what was required of government to protect
civil liberties.

6. ORGANIC ROOTS OF THE UNITED STATES (2)
The theory of singular government deeply influenced founding
fathers Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton
and even later political leaders like Abraham Lincoln, to present
leaders of today. John Locke’s articulation of human nature, in
turn relating the law of nature, which is reason, emphasized that
a state of inconvenience results in a state of war (Second
Treatise, Locke). The most acceptable alternative to a state of
nature is a civil society or government, as long as the
established authority protects equality. As the fundamental
desire of mankind is life itself, government’s foremost priority is
to protect property. Alexander Hamilton further propounded this
position in that government is indeed a reflection on human
nature (Federalist Paper #51).

7. JOHN LOCKE’S “SECOND TREATISE” (1)
•Recognized as the first to anticipate the rise of liberal thought in
his time.
•Addressed the merits of exchanging certain natural rights or
liberties for civil rights as afforded by a social contract that
provides a foundation of laws assuring freedom and equality for
all citizens.
• One cannot have liberalism without capitalism.
•Embodies tolerance, freedom of speech and religion with
capitalism. Social contract is man’s way of establishing a
government to guarantee those identified fundamental rights.
•Argues that the law of God serves as the fundamental example
of what constitutes natural rights.

8. JOHN LOCKE’S “SECOND TREATISE” (2)
•John Lock is very secular as his natural law argument
demonstrates. Adopted to make Christianity more progressive,
Locke argues that the law of reason is in actuality the law of nature
with natural law governed by God.
•No man has sovereignty by birth or any other greater freedom, for
all of man are seen in the same light under God’s eyes. (Chap.1)
•Locke argues that man’s natural duty is to insure his self-
preservation, which he bases on two qualifications. First, men do
what is necessary for their pursuit of life, liberty and prosperity.
Second, man can only take from another if it is dependent on
preserving his own life, liberty and prosperity. (Chap.1)

9. JOHN LOCKE’S “SECOND TREATISE” (3)
•Self-preservation is absolute only in a state of war, for when force
without rights exists, it presents a theater through which violence
exists outside the reach of law. (Sec.17)
•Stresses that rights or duties accorded in a state of nature are
based on natural law, or reason. His whole theory is based on the
tenets of liberalism with a focus on relationships and conflict.
(Preface)
•Examines how one can and cannot morally possess material
goods. States that the law of nature demands that no one shall
waste or spoil anything that others could use. Arguing that one’s
claims to the products of the earth is in truth owned in common by
all, the right of subsistence cannot justify waste, for one does not
own the Earth. (Sec.36)

10. JOHN LOCKE’S “SECOND TREATISE” (4)
•Self-regulating capitalism is the overriding purpose of the
establishment of this contract in order to insure that equality and
freedom continue to exist outside of the state of nature. Addressing
the needy deficiencies of the state of nature, Locke examines the
need for common consent with the people following the basic
tenets of natural law. Man thereby agrees to give up their natural
rights in exchange for civil rights in return for order in a civil society.
•Argues that the rule of law must apply to all in the same fashion,
fairly affecting all aspects of society. The state of nature dictates
that the law must treat all people equally for no one has the right to
control another absolutely.

11. JOHN LOCKE’S “SECOND TREATISE” (6)
•From the beginning: Adam & Eve. Neither had total control over
their children or the Earth. (Chap.1)
•People must freely surrender some of their inalienable rights in
order for the construction of government. (Chap.1)
•All are charged with the responsibility of ensuring their prosperity.
None may willfully retreat from life to death. (Sec.6)
•A state of war results when one’s survival is jeopardized. Slavery
produces a state of war. (Sec.8)
•No man shall do harm. Transgressors shall be punished either by
the state or individual. (Sec.11)

12. JOHN LOCKE’S “SECOND TREATISE” (7)
•State of nature is a state of peace, good will, mutual assistance
and preservation. A state of enmity, malice, violence and mutual
destruction is in fact a state of war. (Sec.16)
•When actual force ends then so does the state of war. Both
sides are then subjected to the faire determination of the law.
(Sec.20)
•Men willingly join a society to prevent a state of war. (Sec.21)
•Man shall not be under any other legislative power, but that
established, by consent, in the commonwealth. Only those
restraints placed by the legislature may apply. (Sec.22)

13. JOHN LOCKE’S “SECOND TREATISE” (8)
•Only those powers willfully forfeited may be applied to man. No one
can give more away more power than he has himself. He that
cannot take away his own life, cannot give another power over
it. (Sec.23)
•Every man has a property in his own person. No power has any
right to this property except the respective individual.(Sec.27)
•Adding labor or value makes the end product man’s. (Sec.28)
•Ethics of converting or trading tangible products into currency. This
brings money, gold and silver, into the foray. (Sec.50)

14. JOHN LOCKE’S “SECOND TREATISE” (9)
The freedom then of man, and liberty of acting according to his own
will, is grounded on his having reason, which is able to instruct him in
that law he is to govern himself by, and make him know how far he is
left to the freedom of his own will. To turn him loose to an
unrestrained liberty, before he has reason to guide him, is not the
allowing him the privilege of his nature to be free; but to thrust him out
amongst brutes, and abandon him to a state as wretched, and as
much beneath that of a man, as their's. This is that which puts the
authority into the parents hands to govern the minority of their
children. God hath made it their business to employ this care on their
offspring, and hath placed in them suitable inclinations of tenderness
and concern to temper this power, to apply it, as his wisdom designed
it, to the children's good, as long as they should need to be under it.
(Sec.63)

15. JOHN LOCKE’S “SECOND TREATISE” (10)
MEN being, as has been said, by nature, all free, equal, and
independent, no one can be put out of this estate, and subjected to
the political power of another, without his own consent. The only way
whereby any one divests himself of his natural liberty, and puts on
the bonds of civil society, is by agreeing with other men to join and
unite into a community for their comfortable, safe, and peaceable
living one amongst another, in a secure enjoyment of their properties,
and a greater security against any, that are not of it. (Sec.95)

16. JOHN LOCKE’S “SECOND TREATISE” (11)
For when any number of men have, by the consent of every
individual, made a community, they have thereby made that
community one body, with a power to act as one body, which is
only by the will and determination of the majority: for that which
acts any community, being only the consent of the individuals of
it, and it being necessary to that which is one body to move one
way; it is necessary the body should move that way whither the
greater force carries it, which is the consent of the majority: or
else it is impossible it should act or continue one body, one
community, which the consent of every individual that united
into it, agreed that it should; and so every one is bound by that
consent to be concluded by the majority. (Sec.96)

17. JOHN LOCKE’S “SECOND TREATISE” (12)
IF man in the state of nature be so free, as has been said; if he
be absolute lord of his own person and possessions, equal to
the greatest, and subject to no body, why will he part with his
freedom? why will he give up this empire, and subject himself to
the dominion and control of any other power? To which it is
obvious to answer, that though in the state of nature he hath
such a right, yet the enjoyment of it is very uncertain, and
constantly exposed to the invasion of others: for all being kings
as much as he, every man his equal, and the greater part no
strict observers of equity and justice, the enjoyment of the
property he has in this state is very unsafe, very insecure.
Protection of property is the primary motivator to join civil
society. (Sec.123)

18. JOHN LOCKE’S “SECOND TREATISE” (13)
THE majority having, as has been shewed, upon men's first uniting
into society, the whole power of the community naturally in them,
may employ all that power in making laws for the community from
time to time, and executing those laws by officers of their own
appointing; and then the form of the government is a perfect
democracy: or else may put the power of making laws into the
hands of a few select men, and their heirs or successors; and then
it is an oligarchy: or else into the hands of one man, and then it is a
monarchy: if to him and his heirs, it is an hereditary monarchy: if to
him only for life, but upon his death the power only of nominating a
successor to return to them; an elective monarchy. And so
accordingly of these the community may make compounded and
mixed forms of government, as they think good. (Sec.132)

19. JOHN LOCKE’S “SECOND TREATISE” (14)
Though the legislative, whether placed in one or more, whether
it be always in being, or only by intervals, though it be the
supreme power in every common-wealth; yet,
First: It is not, nor can possibly be absolutely arbitrary over the
lives and fortunes of the people: for it being but the joint power
of every member of the society given up to that person, or
assembly, which is legislator; it can be no more than those
persons had in a state of nature before they entered into
society, and gave up to the community: for no body can transfer
to another more power than he has in himself; and no body has
an absolute arbitrary power over himself, or over any other, to
destroy his own life, or take away the life or property of another.
(Sec.135)

20. JOHN LOCKE’S “SECOND TREATISE” (15)
Second: The legislative, or supreme authority, cannot assume to its
self a power to rule by extemporary arbitrary decrees, but is bound to
dispense justice, and decide the rights of the subject by promulgated
standing laws, and known authorized judges: for the law of nature
being unwritten, and so no where to be found but in the minds of
men, they who through passion or interest shall miscite, or misapply
it, cannot so easily be convinced of their mistake where there is no
established judge: and so it serves not, as it ought, to determine the
rights, and fence the properties of those that live under it, especially
where every one is judge, interpreter, and executioner of it too, and
that in his own case: and he that has right on his side, having
ordinarily but his own single strength, hath not force enough to
defend himself from injuries, or to punish delinquents. (Sec.136)

21. JOHN LOCKE’S “SECOND TREATISE” (16)
Absolute arbitrary power, or governing without settled standing
laws, can neither of them consist with the ends of society and
government, which men would not quit the freedom of the state
of nature for, and tie themselves up under, were it not to
preserve their lives, liberties and fortunes, and by stated rules
of right and property to secure their peace and quiet.This were
to put themselves into a worse condition than the state of
nature, wherein they had a liberty to defend their right against
the injuries of others, and were upon equal terms of force to
maintain it, whether invaded by a single man, or many in
combination. (Sec.137)

22. JOHN LOCKE’S “SECOND TREATISE” (17)
Thirdly, The supreme power cannot take from any man any part
of his property without his own consent: for the preservation of
property being the end of government, and that for which men
enter into society, it necessarily supposes and requires, that the
people should have property, without which they must be
supposed to lose that, by entering into society, which was the
end for which they entered into it; too gross an absurdity for any
man to own. (Sec.138)

23. JOHN LOCKE’S “SECOND TREATISE” (18)
Legislative Powers Of The Commonwealth:
(1) Govern by promulgated established laws, not to be varied in
particular cases, but to have one rule for rich and poor, for the
favorite at court, and the country man at plough.
(2) Laws also ought to be designed for no other end ultimately, but
the good of the people.
(3) They must not raise taxes on the property of the people,
without the consent of the people, given by themselves, or their
deputies.
(4) The legislative neither must nor can transfer the power of
making laws to any body else, or place it any where, but where
the people have. (Sec.142)

24. JOHN LOCKE’S “SECOND TREATISE” (19)
• But because the laws, that are at once, and in a short time
made, have a constant and lasting force, and need a perpetual
execution, or an attendance thereunto; therefore it is necessary
there should be a power always in being, which should see to
the execution of the laws that are made, and remain in force.
And thus the legislative and executive power come often to be
separated. (Sec.144)
• Executive and federative, though they be really distinct in
themselves, yet one comprehending the execution of the
municipal laws of the society within its self, upon all that are
parts of it; the other the management of the security and
interest of the public without, with all those that it may receive
benefit or damage from, yet they are always almost united.
(Sec.147)

25. JOHN LOCKE’S “SECOND TREATISE” (20)
In a constituted common-wealth, standing upon its own basis,
and acting according to its own nature, that is, acting for the
preservation of the community, there can be but one supreme
power, which is the legislative, to which all the rest are and must
be subordinate, yet the legislative being only a fiduciary power
to act for certain ends, there remains still in the people a
supreme power to remove or alter the legislative, when they find
the legislative act contrary to the trust reposed in them: for all
power given with trust for the attaining an end, being limited by
that end, whenever that end is manifestly neglected, or
opposed, the trust must necessarily be forfeited, and the power
devolve into the hands of those that gave it. (sec.149)

26. JOHN LOCKE’S “SECOND TREATISE” (21)
WHERE the legislative and executive power are in distinct
hands, (as they are in all moderated monarchies, and well-
framed governments) there the good of the society requires,
that several things should be left to the discretion of him that
has the executive power: for the legislators not being able to
foresee, and provide by laws, for all that may be useful to the
community, the executor of the laws having the power in his
hands, has by the common law of nature a right to make use of
it for the good of the society, in many cases, where the
municipal law has given no direction, till the legislative can
conveniently be assembled to provide for it. (Sec.159)

27. JOHN LOCKE’S “SECOND TREATISE” (22)
Because the miscarriages of the father are no faults of the
children, and they may be rational and peaceable,
notwithstanding the brutishness and injustice of the father; the
father, by his miscarriages and violence, can forfeit but his own
life, but involves not his children in his guilt or destruction. His
goods, which nature, that willeth the preservation of all mankind
as much as is possible, hath made to belong to the children to
keep them from perishing, do still continue to belong to his
children: for supposing them not to have joined in the war,
either through infancy, absence, or choice, they have done
nothing to forfeit them: nor has the conqueror any right to take
them away. (Sec.182)

28. JOHN LOCKE’S “SECOND TREATISE” (23)
AS usurpation is the exercise of power, which another hath a
right to; so tyranny is the exercise of power beyond right,
which no body can have a right to. And this is making use of
the power any one has in his hands, not for the good of those
who are under it, but for his own private separate advantage.
When the governor, however entitled, makes not the law, but
his will, the rule; and his commands and actions are not
directed to the preservation of the properties of his people, but
the satisfaction of his own ambition, revenge, covetousness,
or any other irregular passion. (Sec.199)

29. JOHN LOCKE’S “SECOND TREATISE” (24)
Where-ever law ends, tyranny begins, if the law be
transgressed to another's harm; and whosoever in authority
exceeds the power given him by the law, and makes use of
the force he has under his command, to compass that upon
the subject, which the law allows not, ceases in that to be a
magistrate; and, acting without authority, may be opposed,
as any other man, who by force invades the right of another.
This is acknowledged in subordinate magistrates. He that
hath authority to seize my person in the street, may be
opposed as a thief and a robber, if he endeavors to break
into my house to execute a writ, notwithstanding that I know
he has such a warrant, and such a legal authority, as will
empower him to arrest me abroad. (Sec. 202)

30. John Locke’s “Second Treatise” (25)
HE that will with any clearness speak of the dissolution of
government, ought in the first place to distinguish between the
dissolution of the society and the dissolution of the government.
That which makes the community, and brings men out of the
loose state of nature, into one politic society, is the agreement
which every one has with the rest to incorporate, and act as one
body, and so be one distinct commonwealth. The usual, and
almost only way whereby this union is dissolved, is the inroad of
foreign force. Thus conquerors swords often cut up governments
by the roots, and mangle societies to pieces, separating the
subdued or scattered multitude from the protection of, and
dependence on, that society which ought to have preserved them
from violence.. Besides this over-turning from without,
governments are dissolved from within. (Sec. 211)

31. JOHN LOCKE’S “SECOND TREATISE” (26)
First, When the legislative is altered. Civil society being a state
of peace, amongst those who are of it, from whom the state of
war is excluded by the umpirage, which they have provided in
their legislative, for the ending all differences that may arise
amongst any of them, it is in their legislative, that the members
of a commonwealth are united, and combined together into one
coherent living body. (Sec.212)

32. CAPITALISM & DEMOCRACY ARE SIMILAR (1)
For freedom to rein it is required for the market place to determine
the fate of all products, services and ideas. No interference can
burden this process. Oversight is not necessarily detrimental as is
the policy of the United States to regulate various industries. The
death kneel comes when powerful spheres of influence serve to
squash competition. John Locke argues it best when he suggests
that liberalism can never exist without capitalism. This is the
philosophy of Adam Smith’s “invisible hand” where he explains
how markets determine the fate of all competing interests seeking
society’s acceptance. We are today living in a time of
unprecedented technological innovation that is helping to propel
humanity further the ladder of evolution. This would not be possible
if vested interests were prevented from pursuing market
acceptance.

33. CAPITALISM & DEMOCRACY ARE SIMILAR (2)
John Locke and Adam Smith would agree that there is no fundamental
difference between a marketed product, service or even political idea.
All interest groups competing in the marketplace are engaged in the
same pursuit: acceptance. Companies competing for market dollars
strive to offer the most cost efficient product or service that is also the
most innovative. This in turn encourages competing peers to further
maximize efficiency while also stretching the bounds of innovation in
order to offer the best value. Marketing ideas is in essence the same
we have witnessed with political campaigns striving for societal
acceptance. Political organizations seeking for example the election of
a particular individual to office must secure a majority of the market
within a certain region. Competing campaigns offer different ideas to
the market that seek to offer a better value. This constant battle allows
all individuals to decide for themselves what “product” “service” or
even “idea” is best. We all benefit from conflict.

34. CAPITALISM & DEMOCRACY ARE SIMILAR (3)
Let us look at the example of telecommunications to
understand the benefits of conflict. Prior to 1996, there
existed in Southern California like most other regions in the
United States, two cellular telephone companies. These were
the days of analog communications, or AMPS (Advanced
Mobile Phone System). Southern California was home to
Airtouch and LA Cellular prior to 1996. Both companies
maintained prices that prevented the average consumer from
fully utilizing their services, or even purchasing them at all.
Everything changed with the signage of the 1996
Telecommunications Act by President Bill Clinton. The bill
allowed for more efficient use of spectrum, thereby allowing
easier access for companies to compete in wireless
communications.

35. CAPITALISM & DEMOCRACY ARE SIMILAR (4)
Various competitors entered to compete for market
acceptance, requiring all companies to strive for greater
efficiency, while also providing even greater services.
Consumers today face a wide selection of companies who
individually offer greater communication services that go
beyond voice services to encompass video calling and
broadband internet. The invisible hand eliminates those
companies that do not provide the greatest benefit for
consumers.

36. CAPITALISM & DEMOCRACY ARE SIMILAR (5)
The ultimate nightmare may be the elimination of debate.
Many have unwittingly called for this in the halls of
government. It is not debate that threatens society, but the
lack of contesting ideas. Policies enacted to prevent overly
powerful monopolies help to maintain open competition. To
have one overly powerful sphere of interest prevent debate is
destructive to the system itself. Pluralism emphasizes both
conflict and compromise with interest groups engaged in a
constant pursuit of power that naturally results in established
alliances to compete with peer spheres that are doing the
same, resulting in the formation of two major spheres.

37. CAPITALISM & DEMOCRACY ARE SIMILAR (6)
Public policy would thereby stall until reaching a compromise
between these two majority powers. This in turn helps to
protect the majority of those residing in society. Every policy
requires constant improvement for humanity to arrive closer
to perfection. Those that call for the elimination of special
interest groups or even the restriction of political debate are
ignorant for this process benefits society immensely.

38. ISSUES OF CONCERN: COLA & WAGES
COLA (Cost Of Living Adjustments) and
wages are two major issues of concern.
National economy, as national security are
the two top issues of debate every year.
How do national elites seek to manipulate
mass beliefs about why wages just barely
keep pace with daily expenses? “Why Play
Leapfrog” is a Cold War-era cartoon aimed
at convincing workers that increased
productivity brings about greater purchasing
power. The film begins with a brief
introductory sequence showing two cartoon
figures -- one representing prices and the
other representing wages -- playing leapfrog
as each successively rises on the cost-of-
living index.

39. ISSUES OF CONCERN: FREEDOM
Propaganda is a necessary tool.
“Make Mine Freedom” is a 1948 Cold
War-era cartoon that uses humor to
tout the dangers of Communism and
the benefits of capitalism. Various
points made in this presentation touch
on John Locke’s “Second Treatise Of
Government”. Can you pick them out?

40. AMERICAN PERSONA (1)
America has enjoyed a comparable advantage in terms of its
continental location. It has been insulated from major powers by the
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and bordered between two friendly
neighbors, Canada and Mexico, who are heavily dependent on the
well-being of its neighbor. Over the course of the early federalist
period of the U.S., realism remained the prevalent form of political
thinking among American statesmen. The basic underpinnings of the
early nation sensed the apparent dangers of the great European
powers reigning at the time, including an outright acceptance over the
fact that the young republic was in constant danger of attack, never to
escape the crosshairs of foreign politics.

41. AMERICAN PERSONA (2)
Over the course of the early federalist period of the U.S., realism
remained the prevalent form of political thinking among
American statesmen. The basic underpinnings of the early
nation sensed the apparent dangers of the great European
powers reigning at the time, including an outright acceptance
over the fact that the young republic was in constant danger of
attack, never to escape the crosshairs of foreign politics.
America’s leaders from past to present have maintained a
cosmopolitan belief system. This entails viewing the power
position of the United States from the eyes of foreign powers.
public policy makers for the most part maintain a cosmopolitan
belief system.

42. AMERICAN PERSONA (3)
Embedded within the American persona is a belief that the U.S.
was not solely an experiment in republican government, but a
nation blessed with superior principles and institutions, which in
time would be adopted throughout the world. American policy
makers have maintained an idealist ideology in order to
formulate foreign, as well as domestic policy, though its foreign
policy is based inherently on realist dogma. U.S. foreign policy
is thus utilized as an avenue in which to promote American
ideals, combining practical capacity for realizing the evils of
man, yet continuing to remain devoted to the idealistic notions
of the American success story.

43. AMERICAN PERSONA (4)
Embedded within the American persona is a belief that the
U.S. was not solely an experiment in republican government,
but a nation blessed with superior principles and institutions,
which in time would be adopted throughout the world.
American policy makers have maintained an idealist ideology
in order to formulate foreign, as well as domestic policy,
though its foreign policy is based inherently on realist dogma.
U.S. foreign policy is thus utilized as an avenue in which to
promote American ideals, combining practical capacity for
realizing the evils of man, yet continuing to remain devoted to
the idealistic notions of the American success story.

44. AMERICAN PERSONA (5)
America’s political wisdom grew rapidly following its inception as
an independent nation. The country never lost sight of its political
insight, historic perspective and the common sense approach of
the American spirit in relation to its standing among other nations.
Maintaining a quest for simplistic solutions in disregard of
concurrent external forces is a trait of the American persona.
Relations among neighbors in the international system are
focused on an unbridled philanthropy through apparent selfish
inward improvement, as a training method for world improvement.
Accordingly, it is idealism that promotes unbounded philosophical
philanthropy as a selfish desire of American policy. In more
extreme terms, idealism promotes the notion that the U.S.,
through its coaching of nation states, serves as the premiere
example that if followed, will produce unbridled prosperity for all.

45. PROPAGANDA – CINEMOCRACY (1)
Governmental elites may believe that
their national policies are so concrete
that it is necessary to utilize various
forms of propaganda gage in
propaganda to incite specific
reactions from its citizens. Various
forms of propaganda have been
utilized to drum up mass support to
better assure elite legitimacy.
Cinemocracy, the relationship
between motion pictures and
government is one way governmental
elites sell their agenda. Enjoy this
classic cartoon where “Popeye The
Sailor Man” battles the Nazis.

46. ELITES AND MASSES IN EARLY AMERICA
THE LAYERS
ELITE
DOMINATED SOCIAL, CULTURAL, ECONOMIC, & POLITICAL LIFE
MIDDLE CLASS
SUCCESSFUL BODY OF INDIVDUALS
FARMERS
GREAT MASS OF WHITE AMERICANS
WHO HAD LITTLE INTEREST IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

47. ELITE PREFERENCES:
INSPIRATION FOR A NEW CONSTITUTION
• Government Under The Articles Of Confederation
• Established A “Firm League Of Friendship”
• Identified Powers Belonging To The National
Government
• Reassured Each State Of Its
• Sovereignty
• Freedom
• Independence
• Repayment Of Loans Made To Congress
• Investors Who Backed The American War Effort Had
Difficulty Securing Their Loans
• Without The Power To Ta, The Future Of The
American Government Looked Bleak

48. ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
Though the American Revolution was that of ideas, it was a full out
war. Victorious, the thirteen colonies established and lived under the
Articles of Confederation until the adoption of the Constitution of
1787. Revolutionary itself, the Articles of Confederation provided little
assistance for a nation absent of leaders who possessed experience
in governing the whole country. The Articles of Confederation linked
the thirteen colonies in mainly defensive guarantees. Though a
congress with typical authority associated with a central government
was established with normal duties including the right to declare war,
engage in treaties and coin money, there lacked an executive branch
to enforce decisions. Congress was state directed, with each state
having a single vote. Nine out of thirteen states had to agree if
anything were to be passed.

49. ELITE PREFERENCES:
INSPIRATION FOR A NEW CONSTITUTION
• Protection Of Bankers And Creditors
• State-Issued Paper Money Permitted Debtors To Pay
Off Creditors With Money Worth Less Than They
Originally Owned
• Opening Western Land To Speculation
• Need A Strong Central Government
• With Enough Military Power To Oust The British
From The Northwest
• To Protect Settlers Against Indian Attacks
• The Protection And Settlement
• Cause Land Values To Increase
• Make Land Speculators Rich

50. ELITE PREFERENCES:
INSPIRATION FOR A NEW CONSTITUTION
 Protection Of Shipping And Manufacturing
 Strong Navy Important To American Commercial
Interests
 Tariff Barriers Not Adequate Against Foreign Goods
 Ensuring The Return Of Runaway Slaves
 Protection Of Human “Property” Sought
 In 1787, Slavery Was Lawful Everywhere Except In
Massachusetts
 Nation’s Founders Prepared To Protect Slavery
 Southern Economy Highly Dependent On Slaves
 Exercising Powers In World Affairs
 Confederation Held In Contempt By Britain And Barbary
States
 Elite Wanted To Assume Role In The International
Community And Exercise Power In World Affairs

51. FORMATION OF A NATIONAL ELITE
• An Annapolis Convention
• Report That Outlined Defects In The Articles Of
Confederation
• Called Upon States To Send Delegates To New
Convention To Suggest Remedies
• George Washington’s Prestige
• 55 Men Chose George Washington In The
Summer Of 1787
• Stood At The Apex Of American Elite Structure

52. FORMATION OF A NATIONAL ELITE
• Founders’ Governing Experience—Wealthy
Individuals
• Wealth Assumed A Variety Of Forms:
• Land, Ships, Business Inventories, Slaves,
• Credit, Bonds, Paper Money
• Founders’ “ Continental” View
• Cosmopolitanism Distinguished The Men Of
Philadelphia From The Masses
• “Continental” Point Of View For Political,
Economic, & Military Issues
• Members Of The Elite Extended Their Loyalties
Beyond Their States

53. ELITE CONSENSUS IN 1787
• Goal Of Government Is To Protect Liberty And Property
• Origin Of Government Is Implied Contract Among
People
• Elites Believed In
• A Republican Government
• Limited Government Could Not Threaten Liberty Or
Property
• A Strong National Government Could
• “Establish Justice,
• Insure Domestic Tranquility,
• Provide For The Common Defense,
• Promote The General Welfare, And
• Secure The Blessings Of Liberty”

54. AN ELITE IN OPERATION:
CONCILIATION AND COMPROMISE
• Representation Compromise
• Addressed Representation In The National Legislature
• Slavery Compromise –The Three-fifths Compromise
• For Tax And Representation Purposes: Slaves Counted
As Three-fifths of A Person
• Export Tax Compromise –Between Planters And Merchants
• Articles Exported From Any State Should Not Bear Tax
Or Duty
• Imports Could Only Be Taxed By The National
Government
• Voter Qualification Compromise
• Concerned Qualifications For Voting And Holding Office
• Electors In States Should Qualify For Electors Of The
Most Numerous Branch Of The State Legislatures
• Women Could Not Participate In Government

55. THE CONSTITUTION AS ELITIST DOCUMENT
• Elites Benefited More Directly And Immediately Than
Did Nonelites
• Levying Taxes
• Congress Given Power To Tariff
• Regulating Commerce –The Interstate Commerce
Clause & The Provision In Article I, Section 9
• Created Free Trade Area Over The Thirteen
States
• The Arrangement Was Beneficial For American
Merchants.
• Protecting Money And Property
• Congress Gains Control Over Currency And
Credit

56. THE CONSTITUTION AS ELITIST DOCUMENT
• Creating The Military –Two Purposes
• Army and Navy Promote Commercial and
Territorial Ambitions
• Protection From Invasion
• Protecting Against Revolution
• Protect The Government From Revolution By
Providing Military
• Protect Slaveholders From Slave Revolt
• Protecting Slavery
• Congress Outlawed The Import Of Slaves After
1808
• Protect Existing Property And Slaves

57. THE CONSTITUTION AS ELITIST DOCUMENT
• Limiting States In Business Affairs
• Prevents States “Impairing The Obligation Of
Contracts”
• Limiting States In Monetary Affairs
• Provided Protection To Elite
• States Could Not
• Coin Money
• Issue Paper Money
• Make Money Other Than Gold Or Silver Coin Legal
Tender In Payment Of Debt

58. ELITISM AND THE STRUCTURE OF
THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
• Structure Reflects Desire To Protect Liberty And
Property
• Elite Control Government and Policy Decisions
• National Supremacy – Congressional Control Of
Decisions
• Republicanism – Representative Government
• Separated Powers In The National Government
• Bulwark Against Majoritarianism
• Additional Safeguard For Elite Liberty & Property
• Divides Responsibilities
• Difficult To Hold Government Accountable For
Public Policy

59. RATIFICATION: AN EXERCISE IN ELITE
POLITICAL SKILLS
• Ratification Rules Designed To Give Clear Advantage
To Supporters Of Constitution
• Special Ratifying Conventions Called
• Extraordinary Ratification Procedure
• Minority Of Population Participated In Ratifying The
Constitution
• Emergence Of Anti-federalist Opposition
• Feared A Strong Federal Government’s Control
• Confidence In Ability To Control State Government
• The Bill Of Rights An An Afterthought
• Most Effective Criticism Centered On The Absence
Of Bill Of Rights