Jeffersonian democracy

Jeffersonian democracy is a political philosophy attributed to Thomas Jefferson, emphasizing the importance of individual rights, agrarianism, and an egalitarian society. It advocates for a limited federal government, believing that power should primarily reside with the states and local communities. Jeffersonians value the role of the educated citizenry in governance and support the idea that citizens engaged in farming and rural life contribute most effectively to democracy. Central to this philosophy is the belief in the inherent goodness of people and their capacity to govern themselves, promoting liberty and moderation in governmental power.