Critically Assessing Thomas Jefferson

America has been widely regarded as “Jeffersonian” throughout its history so far.  But Jeffersonian American is deeply in trouble (Has Jeffersonian America Run Its Course?). Therefore it is time to critically assess Thomas Jefferson!

Let’s assess him from four big perspectives:

• The Declaration of Independence.
• The U.S. Constitution.
• Vision for America: Alexander Hamilton vs. Thomas Jefferson.
• Has Jeffersonian America finally run its course?

Let me elaborate on each …

1. The Declaration of Independence

The image below is worth more than 1,000 words. For more, read “All men are created equal,” really?

2. The U.S. Constitution

“All men are created equal”, the biggest falsehood in the Declaration of Independence, found its way to the U.S. Constitution as “We the People”. For more, read “We the People”, really?

3. Vision for America: Alexander Hamilton vs. Thomas Jefferson

There is no way to know how a Hamiltonian America would have turned out to be if there had been no Thomas Jefferson. But everything considered, especially given America’s deeply rooted trouble today, I think Hamilton had a more enduring vision for America than Jefferson did. For more, read Vision for America: Alexander Hamilton vs. Thomas Jefferson.

4. Has Jeffersonian America run its course?

Yes, very likely! For more, read Has Jeffersonian America Run Its Course?

5. Discussion

Time is the best judge for everything, including Thomas Jefferson.

Here is a more profound and critical assessment:

• He set America on the wrong footing at its inception!
• He set America on the wrong path at its inception!

Let me elaborate on each …

5.1 He set America on the wrong footing at its inception!

The image below highlights the main reason.

Largely because of it, America has, over the past 200 years, focused little on governance. Governance is everything for a country built to last. This should be very obvious if you know anything about Confucius – See the image below.

5.2 He set America on the wrong path at its inception!

The image below highlights the main reason.

Largely because of it, America has, over the past 200 years, been single-mindedly pursuing voting rights, without meritocracy. Meritocracy is key to a country built to last. This, too, should be very obvious, if you know anything about Confucius – See the image below.

5.3 Profound implications to date

The image below highlights one example of the big picture.

For more, read History 2.0 – China’s Comeback vs. America’s Decline).

6. Closing

Thomas Jefferson was a wise man. However, he was not as great as many Americans worshipfully consider him to be. This is because Jeffersonian America may ultimately prove to be just a failing experiment.

Now, please sit back and enjoy the video below.