Aristocracy
WE hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal...[Declaration of Independence]
Why is the equality of people the first "self-evident" truth concept mentioned in the Declaration of Independence? Because the Founding Fathers hated the aristocracy. They hated the aristocracy more than the monarch--with good reason. There was only one monarch but hundreds, maybe thousands, of aristocrats. Some served in the House of Lords, one house of the British congress.(1)
And since the monarch confers titles, people who want to become aristocrats have a personal goal with no connection to the best interests of the nation. (2)
The Founding Fathers feared an aristocracy would evolve in the U.S. (3) I believe that we now have an aristocracy and it is as tyrannical as the Founding Fathers feared.
In every group of people--whether a small club, a neighborhood, an organization, a city, state or country--some people are treated as leaders of the group even if there is no formal leader-position in the group. The quality of the leader's ideas rarely affects their ability to gain power. It's their personality, rhetoric, and charisma that draws followers.
Many people want a leader to direct at least some aspect of their lives. And some people like having every moment of their lives scheduled. A clear example of this need is cults. They would not grow and flourish if people didn't want to follow a leader, someone to tell them how to live.
The Founding Fathers knew about this basic psychological need. This need isn't intrinsically good or bad. It's a human trait. And the Founding Fathers knew that human nature can't be changed. (4)
to be continued...
(1) Federalist Paper # 48 [paragraph 4]:
The founders of our republic knew that an all-grasping hereditary monarch, supported by a hereditary legislature, jeopardizes liberty. Legislative usurpations lead to the same tyranny as executive usurpations.
(2) Federalist Paper # 69 [paragraph 9]
...The king of Great Britain is called the fountain of honors. He not only appoints to all offices, but can create offices. He can confer titles of nobility and give out an immense number of church honors...
(3) Federalist Paper # 63 [paragraph 15]
...jealous opponents of the Constitution ... will probably say that a senate that is not elected directly by the people and with six-year terms will slowly become powerful. And it will eventually turn into a tyrannical aristocracy.
Federalist Paper # 57 [paragraph 1-3]
The third charge against the House of Representative is that members will come from the upper class of citizens, who have little in common with the mass of the people. And their ambition will sacrifice the many to the benefit of the few. This objection to the Constitution suggests an oligarchy will develop. And it strikes at the root of republican government. The first goal of every political constitution is finding men to rule who have the wisdom to understand and the virtue to pursue society's common good. Next, it needs a way to keep them virtuous while they are in office. Republican governments elect rulers. Many things help to prevent their degeneracy. The most effective is limiting their term in office. Because they have to face reelection, they will feel responsible to the people.
(4) Federalist Paper # 1 [paragraph 5]
...Dangerous ambition is more often masked by a zeal for the rights of the people than the zeal for a firm and efficient government. History teaches us that most men who have overturned the liberties of republics began their career by proclaiming their devotion to the people. They gain position by arousing people’s prejudices and end as tyrants.
Federalist Paper # 70 [paragraph 22]
The kind of security sought for in a plural EXECUTIVE is unattainable. The number has to be so great that conspiracy is difficult; otherwise conspiracies become a source of danger rather than security. When power is placed in a small number of men, a talented leader can easily get them to agree to a common enterprise. A small group is easier to abuse and more dangerous when abused, than a single man. One man can be closely watched and more easily suspected. ...A council to an executive, who is responsible for what he does, clogs his good intentions, becomes accomplices of his bad deeds, and almost always is a cloak to his faults.
We Will Never Forget, 12/8/1941, 9/12/2001
Mary E Webster
The Federalist Papers: Modern English Edition Two is available on my website.