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Benjamin Franklin was a big believer in democracy. Many of his ideas would be expressed in the numerous writings and speeches he wrote over the years.
To him, democracy was the most important vessel of the common man.
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!"
Franklin's commitment to democracy was declared in this quote:
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
Franklin lived in a world full of tyranny and authoritarianism.
Franklin's was against the centralized concentration of power. He was a staunch advocate for the dispersion of power. He believed in the need for checks and balances. These things were needed to safeguard the world against tyranny.
Franklin's cautionary tales helped call for vigilance and resistance of the early Americans.
He believed that too much power was in the hands of the few. There would be no freedom for the many.
Benjamin Franklin's advocacy for the rights of the individual came from many areas. But mainly he believed humans were virtuous beings and deserved liberty.
He thought liberty and democracy would create the backbone of the American experiment.
Many of his insights came from him living in Great Britain and being exposed from many famous people and ideas from the Enlightenment.
The Enlightenment, a European intellectual and cultural movement characterized by a focus on reason, science, and the pursuit of knowledge, played a pivotal role in shaping Franklin's political and philosophical views.
The movement's emphasis on individual liberty and the rights of the individual struck a resonant chord with Franklin, who absorbed these ideas during his extensive travels in Europe.
He was a member in the scientific community of the time driven by Enlightenment ideals.
His big achievements in electricity and publishing were also influenced by the movement.
Benjamin Franklin's commitment to democracy can be found in many of his writings.
Among his most notable works on the subject are:
One of the first state constitutions in the United States.
A document about the framework on how the US government would work.
An autobiography about his life and experiences.
An essay about the democratic ideas of American society and why Eurpeans should immigrate to the USA.
Benjamin Franklin's passionate belief in democracy helped to shape the USA to where it is today.
He wanted a government that was for the people and governed by the people.
He fervently advocated for a government that represented and responded to the will of the people, giving them a voice in decisions that would impact their lives.
Equality irrespective of social status or wealth, deserved an equal voice in Benjamin Franklin’s opinion.
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