Until the decision of President George Washington to have both Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson participate in his cabinet, the two men had different ideas of how the country should be ordered. Jefferson saw the future success of the country based around an agrarian system that had been established in the southern states around the plantation system. On the other hand, Hamilton saw the success of the country focused on an economic model that promoted the development of a manufacturing and commercial base for the country which would help generate wealth. Hamilton’s idea was very popular in the northern states. In terms of the government structure, Hamilton preferred a strong central government to govern the everyday affairs of the
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While in the Washington administration, both saw each other as chief rivals and potential threats to the stability of the country overall. In the case of the current legacy of the Hamilton/Jefferson debate, we see it in every debate that the federal government has with the states or when we question the role of government. During the Obama administration, there have been many different challenges from the institution of Obamacare, the American Recovery and Restoration Act, gay marriage, etc. to see how the debate rages. Most currently, the debate over Obama appointing a Supreme Court Justice in the wake of Scalia’s death represents the debate between the government and states (people). For all intents and purposes, Hamilton and Jefferson established the political party system that we see today, and the inherent challenges that are incurred. For example when Rep. Mitch McConnell challenged Obama over the Presidential right to replace Scalia, his challenge reflected the role of the states versus the central government as McConnell argued that the people of the country should have the right to decide the next Chief Justice even though this is the prerogative of the US President. Any kind of bi-partisanship in politics is the legacy of Hamilton
While in the Washington administration, both saw each other as chief rivals and potential threats to the stability of the country overall. In the case of the current legacy of the Hamilton/Jefferson debate, we see it in every debate that the federal government has with the states or when we question the role of government. During the Obama administration, there have been many different challenges from the institution of Obamacare, the American Recovery and Restoration Act, gay marriage, etc. to see how the debate rages. Most currently, the debate over Obama appointing a Supreme Court Justice in the wake of Scalia’s death represents the debate between the government and states (people). For all intents and purposes, Hamilton and Jefferson established the political party system that we see today, and the inherent challenges that are incurred. For example when Rep. Mitch McConnell challenged Obama over the Presidential right to replace Scalia, his challenge reflected the role of the states versus the central government as McConnell argued that the people of the country should have the right to decide the next Chief Justice even though this is the prerogative of the US President. Any kind of bi-partisanship in politics is the legacy of Hamilton