Within all democracies, a government’s power and sovereignty lie with its citizens. Undoubtedly, there lies an importance with the virtue and character of the citizenry, as they are inherently responsible for dictating the direction of a government’s policy and laws. Over the course of American history, many politicians and scholars have come to similar conclusions regarding the importance of moral citizens. However, statesmen have shared varying levels of concern for government’s role in developing such citizens. Some of the first groups to debate this were the Antifederalists and Federalists. The latter of which was willing to rely on the structures of government to express popular will and opinion in order to lead the nation in a virtuous …show more content…
Certainly, this is one of the reasons why Roosevelt was a proponent for plebiscitary democracy and proposals like referendum initiatives and the direct election of senators. This sentiments are expressed best in his speech on “The Right of People to Rule”, where Roosevelt claims, I believe in the right of people to rule. I believe the majority of the plain people of the United States will, day in and day out, make fewer mistakes In governing themselves than any smaller class or body of men…”(Roosevelt 1). Essentially, Roosevelt believes that people are capable of self-rule within the government, and that the majority of average Americans will tend to promote moral, moderate policy and values without the need for additional intervention. Here, Roosevelt seems to share a similar philosophy to that of the Federalists, where he is willing to rely on the government and democracy to filter out immoral people and …show more content…
Roosevelt (FDR), would advocate a similar philosophy in terms of civic virtue. However, like his predecessors, FDR feared the sense of declining virtue in society, and wanted to expand the emphasis being placed on citizen’s obligations to their community and country. In accepting his nomination for president, FDR expressed his fears regarding society, stating that, “…we have come through a period of loose thinking, descending morals, an era of selfishness, among individual men and women and among Nations”(Roosevelt 658). Similar to Theodore Roosevelt, FDR clearly felt a level of concerning regarding the direction of the citizenry and country. In terms of the citizen’s role within government, believed in popular mobilization where government would act based on the will of the people. As a result, FDR believes it is imperative to dedicate the U.S., “… to the policy of the good neighbor-the neighbors who resolutely respects himself and…respects the rights of others-the neighbor who respects his obligations and respects the sanctity of his agreements…” (“Inaugural Address” 14). Ultimately, FDR believes it is necessary for citizens to focus on social justice and general welfare more than their selfish interests, and argues the government can help in achieving this goal. Again, like Theodore Roosevelt, FDR believes the government can help shape and polish public opinion to create good governance. This ideology is expressed in his
When in times of weakness and confusion, one must find the strength to overcome the challenge of placing their trust in someone, despite their hardships or uncertainty of what is to come. At his inauguration in early 1933, after narrowly beating out Herbert Hoover, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, FDR, stepped into the presidency with America deep into the depression. After seeing what Americans are going through, FDR immediately realized that he must use this speech as not only an introduction to his presidency, but also reassurance to millions of Americans that they can trust him. In order to accomplish this monumental task of universal trust and acceptance from the country as a whole, he not only had to show Americans that he understood what they were going through, but also had to propose his strategy to get America back on
Coolidge said in his inaugural message, “We cannot finance the country, we can not improve social conditions, through any system of injustice, even if we attempt to inflict it upon the rich,” (1925 Inaugural Message). He believed that while taxation was an economic issue, it was also a moral issue. A significant amount of hard-earned money was being removed from each citizen’s paycheck, and Coolidge believed the amount taken was discouraging and limiting to the taxpayer, and sought to change
(142) Theodore Roosevelt and Howard Taft 's platforms on trusts and direct democracy, judicial recall and constitution usage in courts may have contrasted, but they did share similar opinions about women 's voting rights. Roosevelt, throughout the entirety of the election made his opinion on Taft very clear. Roosevelt said "But I do not care for Taft, indeed I think less of him as time goes on, in spite of the fact that I believe he is improving his position before the people. He is a flubdub with a streak of the second-rate and the common in him, and he has not the slightest idea of what is necessary if this country is to make social and industrial progress" (72). Taft, similarly, based much of his campaign on bad mouthing Roosevelt, while simultaneously advocating strong constitutional governing of the people.
I think Theodore Roosevelt did not set the country on an unsustainable path to ruin. It’s extremely hard to predict the future on something like what a country will turn into. Theodore Roosevelt probably didn't think about the future consequences of his decisions. I don’t blame him for that he probably thought he was doing the right thing. We can’t blame someone who’s been dead for 97 for the current economic problems.
1933," n.d.). FDR made unemployment issue the first priority to overcome and express his intention to redistribute the population according to the job market and concentrate on “overbalance of population in our industrial centers” ("Franklin D. Roosevelt: First Inaugural Address. U.S. Inaugural Addresses. 1933," n.d.). He also calls for a change in banking, relief, agriculture, national planning, international trade, government budget and a friendly neighbor policy and said, “We are, I know, ready and willing to submit our lives and property to such discipline, because it makes possible a leadership which aims at a larger good” ("Franklin D. Roosevelt: First Inaugural Address.
The creation of the United States is considered by many to be a great experiment in democracy. After the War of 1812, America was filled with tremendous nationalism and as the young country grew, many nations look to it as both an inspiration and a warning. Americans seemed united behind their president James Monroe, who was elected in 1816 and then ran uncontested for his second term in 1820. However, even during this time there were many discussions and arguments within the nation’s own government regarding the benefits of democracy.
Theodore Roosevelt is one of the American presidents who are remembered for the changes that they brought or made in this nation. He was the 26th president of the United States and he is remembered for his transformations and important quotes which are useful today. Theodore Roosevelt was the most youthful president in the historical background of America amid that opportunity to be in office. He had not yet turned forty three years, the required age, when he got to be a president. He played a major role in transforming the federal government and the transformations made are still in effect today (viewpoint article; Beale).
President Andrew Jackson was an influential, “common man” of the people. And though Jackson’s opponents, the National Republicans and the Whig party, have accused him of being despotic through his use of vetoes, expansion of presidential power, and neglect of constitution, it was clear to Jackson and the public that he had merely sought to follow the will of the people. Therefore his presidency had, indeed, reflected an era of democracy. President Jackson himself was a symbol of democracy of the Egalitarian Age. This is clear in his election in 1828.
He wanted them to stand up for their country, to be involved in politics, and to want to go the extra mile just to help others and the country as a whole. As I read this speech, there were five main points that stood out. They, along with the rest of the speech, explained what Roosevelt thought the ideal American citizen should look like. First, he starts his speech off by saying that no one can be a good citizen unless they are a good father and husband at home, treat other men and women with respect, are faithful to their friends and fearless in situations where they might be needed to help, and genuinely have a good heart, mind, and body. He states, “ In a free republic the ideal citizen must be one willing and able to take arms for the defense of the flag, exactly as the ideal citizen must be the father of many healthy children” (McKay).
In FDR: Advocate for the American People, David M. Kennedy paints Roosevelt in a bright light by stating, “he had a profound feeling for the underdog, a real sense of the critical imbalance of economic life a very keen awareness that political democracy could not exist side by side with economic plutocracy.” Essentially, Kennedy saw Roosevelt as someone who cared for the American Public and placed the needs of the people first. Kennedy is able to show readers that Roosevelt truly cares for the public when he states that, Roosevelt truly believed that the people could not be “self supporting” and that “without the help of thousands of others, any one of us would die, naked and starved.” By referencing to Roosevelt’s speech, Kennedy is able
2. Theodore Roosevelt was considered to be the “First Modern President because he had a strong- firm personality, and showed aggressive actions towards others. Roosevelt believed that the President had the right to use all power unless they were denied to him. Also, that he has a responsibility to the people, and so challenged himself to avoid notions of limited government and individualism; the government he controlled should maintain as an agent who should give the people what they want. Roosevelt’s presidency opened up creativity of progressive movement, lending the prestige of the White House to welfare legislation, government regulation, and the conservation movement.
President Lyndon B. Johnson once said, “The Great Society rests on abundance and liberty for all,” in his speech that changed American’s views on society and the outcomes that can occur (“Great Society”).With the death of President Kennedy in November of 1963, it was Johnson’s duty to follow the path of Kennedy’s vision of making America and its future great for everyone. President Johnson named his vision and passion for the future of America that he strived to lead the Great Society(“Great Society”). Johnson’s speech on May 22, 1964 was played out for America and its people to educate the importance to supply our society with wealth, wisdom, and experience to successfully build a country where the struggled labor becomes a value for the
Actions that are morally right but go against status quo are notoriously difficult for many politicians to take. Several of today’s politicians are not brave enough to risk alienating their voters. Calvin Coolidge, in contrast, was courageous, and this value was cultivated from an early age. Whether it was dealing with his mother’s passing when he was only twelve years old, or his sister’s death when in high school, Coolidge had to overcome these difficult situations. He had to stick to his goals of becoming a lawyer and a politician.
“That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed” (Jefferson, 1776/2014, para. 2). Authority should not reside over individuals, but with them. A heart cannot run a body alone. Likewise, a government does not operate a nation by itself. Individuals help maintain the justice of authority.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt was in office through one of the most challenging times in American history; the great depression. This was a time when jobs were lessening and the country was in need of a boost. Being our president, many people look up and rely on the actions of him. In this specific time, President Roosevelt needed to put himself in the position of a fellow American citizen as well as remain his leadership role as president. To give the country the little boost of positivity, President Roosevelt constructed his broadcast that aired on October 22, 1933.