What Would Jefferson Do?: A Return to Democracy

by Thom Hartmann, Robert Wolff (Afterword)

Today, some 80 nations can be described as fully democratic. Yet in numerous countries around the world, democracy has failed or is tottering, and in the United States its principles are increasingly under siege from corporate and other forces.

In What Would Jefferson Do? Thom Hartmann shows why democracy is not an aberration in human history but the oldest, most resilient, and most universal form of government, with roots in nature itself. He traces the history of democracy in the United States, identifies the most prevalent myths about it, and offers an inspiring yet realistic plan for transforming the political landscape and reviving Jefferson’s dream before it is too late.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, History

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Thomas Carl Hartmann is an American radio personality, author, businessman, and progressive political commentator. Hartmann has been hosting a nationally syndicated radio show, The Thom Hartmann Program, since 2003 and hosted a nightly television show, The Big Picture, between 2010 and 2017.

Reviews

[Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thom Hartmann argues for a return of Jeffersonian democracy. The word democracy has become politicized of late, but the founding fathers often used democracy and republicanism interchangeably, as did Tocqueville in his brilliant book. Jefferson really believed in government by the people and for the people, as opposed to aristocratic founders like Adams and Hamilton. (The book describes a funny story when President Adams, after jailing many opposition journalists, parades through a town in his carriage with the people chanting Royalist inspired slogans and shooting cannons in his honor passed a tavern. A town drunk shouted, in his hearing, that they should shoot the cannon up his arse. He was arrested. Jefferson reversed the pomp and aristocratic airs of the presidency.) Jefferson would have been appalled by the power over government in recent years given to corporations and organized religion (look into my home state of Utah for wonderful examples). He envisioned an America where common people were educated and participated fully in government, particularly at the local level. The book argues against false impressions of the founders from right and left. Both say the founders, as wealthy landowners were self interested when writing the constitution. Hartmann calls bullshit, using the evidence that none oF the founders families maintained their wealth or status as they would have if staying with Britain ( not the only evidence, of course). Hartmann does a fine job laying out the problems of modern American politics and proposes a solution of originalism, not the conservative version that uses a constitutional amendment designed to give freed slaves (well, the male ones at least) full rights of citizenship to make corporations people, and not the aristocratic and semi-royalist tendencies of the other fore mentioned founders, but the originalism of the most brilliant and people-trusting of the founders, Jefferson.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Besides the middle 1/3, Thom offers something very unique here. It is all about democracy: ours, the rest of the worlds, what the problems are and what possible solutions might be. Written very well, the first 1/3 deals with the Founding Fathers, the second 1/3 of it blames modern conservatives for everything that is wrong with the world, but the last 1/3 of it offers some interesting 'solutions' to societies problems. Can't say I agree with everything Thom proposes, but the best thing about this book is it makes you think about what you believe very hard. Thom refuses to believe that we are stuck with the system we have and strives for something better, while hoping he can entice you into the struggle. If you can get passed the political finger-pointing, I think you'll be suprised when you get to the end.

[MaskedSanity­ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The deeper I got into this book, the more educated I felt. I also felt angrier. Thom Hartmann is a student of history and by knowing what preceded him, he was very accurately able to see how bad things have gotten in the 10+ years since this book was published.
I've often wondered what our Founding Fathers would think of today's version of the country they created. This book gives a good indication that they would not be satisfied.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thomas Jefferson rocks! Thom Hartmann rocks! They are two of my favorite human beings! Hartmann is extremely well informed and articulate, and has written on a number of issues. Politics, government, history (his an exceptional historian!), ADD, ADHD, Spirituality... and more. So, it pains me to rate a book of his at less than a 5-star. I think it's a book a lot of people would enjoy. For me, the writing was too intellectual. So, this is really about me, not Hartmann.

[Bradley Jarvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent introduction to the basics of our democracy - what our founding fathers really thought, and how far we have deviated from the original American Dream. The book is well written, impeccably sourced, and an invaluable contribution to our political discourse.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be mandatory reading in our high schools. Hartmann does an excellent job of explaining the constitution and demacracy. He is able to explain the problems we've gotten into, and easy, basic,common sence solutions to these problems. I highly recommend everyone read this book.

[John Oppenheim · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this book was written in 2004, the lessons remain today. This is a primer on how big business and big money have hijacked our country. While I am known as a liberal, it is a lesson for all of us.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Time to return our nation back to "We The People". Get active people!

[Bruce Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Wow! What a read. Unabashedly liberal in view but supported by extensive quotes from Jefferson's letters.

The overriding theme is that our nation was formed by and for "We the People...." And that humans (and all other herd animals) naturally thrive in a democracy, not social Darwinism's "survival of the fittest."

Hartmann gives a contemporary's account of the Boston Tea Party - the spark that started the Revolution. The colonists were protesting a corporate behemoth (the British East India Company). The framers of the Constitution were wary of any company growing big enough to affect governance. They would be appalled at today's US government run by and for corporations.

One chapter sets out to debunk myths such as:

"America was created by rich white men to protect their wealth.”

"... the signers didn't send other people's kids to war, as we do today when we wage war; the Founders themselves gave up everything, even risking (and losing) their families' lives, giving up their life's savings, and losing their own homes and families. While many of the conservative Tory families still have considerable wealth and power (in Canada and England), not a single Founder's family persists today as a wealthy or politically dominant entity."

The book is full of well researched information that clarifies the founders' intentions and contrasts those intentions with modern (2003) American government.

It has given me a new perspective on the evils of contemporary American politics.

[Alison Vardy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A timely book still 20 years after publication re. Threats to democracy by corporatocracy and new serfdom of the people by a small % of arrow interest groups

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned some fascinating stuff about the birth of Democracy in our country. While droll at times, the message is clear, we the people need to start paying attention to what is going on before we find ourselves faced with a political system ruled by a corporate feudal system. There are things that I agree that this country needs, free higher education, continued health care coverage for everyone, money out of politics (in the form of lobbyists) there are others that I personally feel are misguided. Stronger unions and forced inscription into the military for a set period of time for example.

[Cheryl Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read this book. A lot of parallels to rogue civilizations in the United States right now and how the Founding Fathers would be shocked at how their beloved Constitution has been shredded. No surprise that most of the damage happened during the administrations of Republicans. The erosion of the middle class, the ballooning prisons, the tax cuts for billionaires, the rebirth of monopolies, the private ownership of the media.....it's all in this book! Wonderful author and great political commentator....Thom Hartmann, one of my favorites.

[Tommy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is definitely a book Tara made me read, but in all honesty it was a well researched insightful work. If you want to read something polysci based, this is a good read.

[Docrichr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good points made.

[Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots about Jefferson quoted from original letters post revolution.

[Fargojay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thom Hartmann is th best.....love his radio show and the books I have read. So much good historical material that busts serveral pervailing myths about how our democracy was formed.

[Mark Kirwin]

I liked it

[Bruce Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another very good book by Thom Hartman.

[Linda · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. not for me.

[Paul Pimenta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-researched, thought-out, and presented.

[Robert James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting, thought provoking.

[David Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read.