The Definition of Jeffersonian Populist

JEFFERSONIAN-POPULIST

Common people committed to rebuilding an America where liberty and personal freedom can flourish.

Jeffersonian: 1)of or relating to the characteristics of Thomas Jefferson’s attitudes and political theories. 2)a proponent of Jefferson’s politics. 3)a follower of Thomas Jefferson or his governmental ideas and principles; “Jeffersonian Democracy”.

Populist: (modern populist) 1)a believer in the rights, wisdom and virtues of the common people. 2)an ideology which defends ordinary, decent and common people against a set of extreme elites and dangerous “others” who are together depriving or attempting to deprive the sovereign people of their unalienable rights, values, prosperity, property, identity and voice.

Thomas Jefferson’s basic political theory;

Believed freedom of speech and the press is the best method to prevent the tyranny of the people by their own government
Supported a federal government with constrained powers
Believed the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights were written to ensure the freedom of the people
Believed the federal government must not violate the rights of the state
Believed government must not violate the rights of the people
Called on state and local governments to safeguard and protect the rights and property of citizens from the federal government
Believed all citizens should have access to an education no matter their circumstance or status in life
Believed all citizens had a basic right to be informed, and thus, had a say in government
The protection and expansion of human liberty was a chief goal
Believed the national government was a dangerous necessity to be instituted for the common benefit, protection and security of the people, nation or community; it should be watched closely and circumscribed in its powers
Believed the independent farmer or small business owner best exemplified civic virtue and independence and that government policy should be for their benefit