Enlightened Founders of America Firmly Believed Extensive Learning and Historic Wisdom Would Deter Tyranny
Sustaining Democracy: The Founding Fathers' Emphasis on Education
In contemporary America, a vast majority of citizens express concerns about the perceived threat to their democratic system. While the degeneration of democracies is a historical concern, understanding the role of education in preserving democratic institutions, as envisioned by the American Founding Fathers, offers valuable insights.
Throughout history, democracies have been susceptible to downfall, often due to the emergence of tyrants capitalizing on the ignorant populace, as warned by Greek philosopher Plato. The Founding Fathers, cognizant of this risk, recognized the need for an informed citizenry to safeguard the nation.
Baron Montesquieu, a French philosopher, had advocated for governments by the people but expressed concerns about uneducated citizens who would act purely on passion and thus require direction from their superiors. The Founding Fathers, too, understood that not all voters were equal and deemed literacy essential for participation in the democratic process.
Thomas Jefferson, one of the most democratic-minded American Founders, advocated for a government by the people, acting directly and as per rules established by the majority. However, he acknowledged that the people's natural integrity and discretion would need cultivation to ensure they could serve as safe depositories for the new American nation.
Recognizing the importance of education for democracy, Jefferson urged the illumination of the people and the dissemination of historical knowledge to ensure their informed decisions. He also stressed the need for educating the masses to maintain liberty safely within the hands of the people.
In 1787, Benjamin Rush, a Philadelphia doctor and signatory of the Declaration of Independence, proposed the establishment of a federal university to educate citizens on government-related subjects. George Washington, too, supported this idea, advocating for a national university and military academy before his retirement from office.
Contemporary society may view Washington's idea of a unifying education system skeptically, given our focus on multiculturalism and celebrating diversity. However, his idea of making citizens more homogeneous to foster a permanent union is worth reconsideration. If Washington were alive today, he might advocate for a modern version of his proposed national university, emphasizing history and political values to ensure citizens maintain an understanding beyond their separate identities.
Originally published by The Conversation, August 7, 2021, under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution/No derivatives license.
In the spirit of the Founding Fathers, recognizing education as a key component in sustaining democracy, it would be prudent for citizens today to prioritize education-and-self-development, particularly in areas that encompass political knowledge and general news. This way, the populace can ward off the threat of downfall that democracies can face, as warned by Greek philosopher Plato, by making informed decisions in the political landscape.
Emulating the vision of Thomas Jefferson, who emphasized the importance of education for both the illumination of the people and the maintenance of liberty, citizens could play an instrumental role in preserving democratic institutions by adopting a lifelong pursuit of learning and critical thinking, thereby fostering an engaged and informed electorate. This education-and-self-development can potentially serve as a long-term strategy to prevent the emergence of tyrants who capitalize on the ignorance of the general populace.
