Jacksonian Democracy and Widespread of the Electoral Law
In the first half of the nineteenth century, the political philosophy in the USA was under influence of views of Andrew Jackson, an author of the Second Party System. He his own ideas obtained a title of Jacksonian Democracy. It is controversial that he did not object slavery. The balance of power on the political stage significantly changed. Jackson relied on executive power and presidency instead of legislative. The ability of politicians to appoint their supporters to the state bodies was ceased since the provision of patronage system. The aristocracy did not have influence that was in their possession during presidency of Thomas Jefferson.
So, there is an issue from hereinabove concerning role of patronage system entirely. That is the reason why the changes provided by the Jacksonian Democracy influenced both aristocrats and common folk. Change of elite to discuss the status of the aristocracy, they lost privileges and competence due to the reforms of Jackson. Executive power and President obtained more influence than the Congress. As to the judicial power, it was provided the procedure of election of judges instead of appointment. These conditions worsened status of political elite since legislative power was weakened. These circumstances caused possibility of usurpation of power by the one of its branches. Scott C. James mentioned that the policy of patronage caused “organizational graft, corruption and abuses of power” (James 2). From my opinion, the new order of Jacksonian Democracy totally not only completed the political influence of aristocracy but also threatened the principle of separation of powers together with system of checks and balances.
Benefits to the common folks
As to the common folk, they received more benefits than aristocracy. What is more, the patronage system exempted all white men but not one aristocratic class. The electoral law was extended in this way. The common folk obtained more possibilities to enter the authority. Alexis de Tocqueville (1840) considered influence of poor individuals with lack of education in democratic state. So, there was an extension of active and passive electoral law. Extension of the electoral lawThe widespread of electoral law should be considered in more detailed way. Prior to applying of Jackson’s ideas the right to vote was a privilege of elitist minority.
Controversially, Jackson provided its extension to all the white men. Moreover, established by him open voting within spoils system had a political loyalty as a background but not experience or knowledge. From my point of view, in this way Jackson presented negative side of the democracy. To illustrate, democratic state means that common folk is a source of power. On the contrary, the main point that should be taken into account is not a descent or belonging to some social group. The experience and presence of education that allows to carry out the activity of politician should be the argument defining possibility to be a part of the state authority. It …
