GB&F: On the Natural Aristocracy Response

6. Jefferson doesn’t seem to be aware of the fact that people who are of the natural aristocracy may not be satisfied with serving the country within a democracy or that they could conceivably destroy the country for their own benefit. From reading the letter I think that to that suggestion he would respond that the education system he describes would prevent those sentiments in the country’s leaders. Still, to me it seems that no matter how much education one receives and how much a person has been told to believe in this or that, you can never rid a person of their instincts and that natural aristocracy’s instinct is to rise.

*Not my answer*

Does anyone know what "laid the ax to the foot" means? It says this during Jefferson's section on education. "These laws, drawn by myself, laid the ax to the foot of Pseudo-aristocracy."

What Jefferson means by natural aristocracy are the people that have talents and are able to use them well. He considers them to be greatest gift of creation, and says that life without these class of people would not function well. He also speaks of artificial aristocracy or people who seem like they are good merely because of their birth, these pseudo-aristoi, according to Jefferson, should be put into a room and locked away so that they cannot harm the other classes or create mischief.

5. Jefferson believed that through education in a democracy, every worth and genius would be given an opportunity to become educated and would be completely prepared to defeat the competition of wealth and birth for public trusts (artificial aristocracy). Jefferson wanted those who provided virtue and wisdom to manage the issues of the society, not just those of artificial aristocracy founded on only wealth and birth (first class). He believed that with the establishment of education, he could “lay the ax to the foot” or put an end to Pseudo-aristocracy (those who falsely claim or appear to be the best). Jefferson also believed that education in a democracy should be available to all, in order to educate individuals to later establish self-governments in each ward. He was convinced that with these self-governments, the creation of little republics would be made, which would allow the states to act in mass. The little republics acting in mass would better manage a county or state rather than larger republics. This would restore the citizens’ freedom and in turn allow people to act in more moral and respectful ways, necessary to their safety and to an orderly government. Jefferson was convinced that education was a political concern because without education available to all, artificial aristocracy would take over, and the future of cooperation and an orderly government would be jeopardized, and the voices of those less educated wouldn’t be heard.

5. Jefferson believed that through education in a democracy, every worth and genius would be given an opportunity to become educated and would be completely prepared to defeat the competition of wealth and birth for public trusts (artificial aristocracy). Jefferson wanted those who provided virtue and wisdom to manage the issues of the society, just not those of artificial aristocracy founded on only wealth and birth (first class). He believed that with the establishment of education, he could “lay the ax to the foot” or put an end to Pseudo-aristocracy (those who falsely claim or appear to be the best). Jefferson also believed that education in a democracy should be available to all, in order to educate individuals to later establish self-governments in each ward. He was convinced that with these self-governments, the creation of little republics would be made, which would allow the states to act in mass. The little republics acting in mass would better manage a county or state rather than larger republics. This would restore the citizens’ freedom and in turn allow people to act in more moral and respectful ways, necessary to their safety and to an orderly government. Jefferson was convinced that education was a political concern because without education available to all, artificial aristocracy would take over, and the future of cooperation and an orderly government would be jeopardized, and the voices of those less educated wouldn’t be heard.

3.
Jefferson distinguishes his position from that of John Adams by explaining how each of them wishes to deal with the problem of the artificial aristocracy. On one hand Adams wishes to give the artificial aristocracy a special branch in government, probably so they can be easily watched. Jefferson, on the other hand, thinks that if they are given any power they will cause trouble. In this way we see that the difference between them lies in how they might achieve their goals. Basically, they both have the same goal (to keep the artificial aristocracy from being troublesome) but they have very different ways of reaching this goal.

2. Jefferson does believe that the “natural aristocracy” is consistent with democratic government because he states that the “natural aristocracy” is the best of class high value virtuous people of the world. His would class them in a area of wise men knowing what’s best for the people, and democratic government runs on votes from the people leaving them to get a fair opinion in. he also says that since the people will have the choice they will want the smartest and wisest to run the country voting democratically and still picking that high class overseer to run the country. This method apparently wouldn’t be affected by the rich and swayed by them.

4. The legislation supported by Jefferson represents his democratic goals very successfully. Jefferson's main goal is to move away from the aristoi style of government and towards a democracy. The system Jefferson promotes in his letter suggests there be free elections in which the public will decide who will be the "warden," or the man in charge. The men in charge of each district will come together to help govern the larger city, state, or country. This follows his democratic goals. He also wishes to set up an education system that will help give all people an equal chance at become politicians. He also promotes the ownership of land by all men. These are all ideas that support a democracy, which is the main goal that Jefferson is striving to achieve.