The Political Theory Of Thomas Jefferson And Its Contemporary Value

Thomas.Jefferson (1743-1826), an early Enlightenment thinker, political theorist and practitioner in USA, and is known as "one of the drafters of the declaration of independence", and the "father of American democracy". He is a greatest constructor from shaping of political democracy thought and system construction to preferring to political practice in USA. Jefferson pursuits of democracy, equality and freedom of thought in the whole lifetime, and even becomes a staunch democrat. In Jefferson’s political thought, he tries to promote the theory of natural rights,"stereo decentralization" theory and the thought of national political participation, always stands in the position of the people, safeguards the basic rights and interests of people, believes the people’s political ability, and prevents government corruption decay. More importantly, the studying of Jefferson’s political thought not only can know for us the influence of his political thought in USA political circles, but also can provide some useful suggestions and implications of China’s democratic politics development and the construction of harmonious society. Analysis and interpretation of this thesis is divided into six parts on the political thought of Jefferson.In the first part, it is a brief introduction about Thomas Jefferson’s life and political practice. Based on introducing the life and political practice, let us to understand the democratic life, the background of the times and political achievements about his theory..In the second part, there are the forming background and theoretical origin of Jefferson’s political thought. Through analyzing the political ideological formation of the historical conditions and the ideological source by the two dimensions of historical background and thought origin of Jefferson’s political thought, it is certainly view that we can make a clear judgment about the content and essence of Jefferson’s political thought. The third part, there is the main political thought of Jefferson. Through the summary and conclusion, Jefferson’s political thought is mainly contains theory of natural rights and "stereo decentralization" thought and the thought of national political participation. Jefferson’s theory of natural rights can can promote freedom of thought, the main idea of equality and the people’s right of revolution thought; basing on the inherited separation of power form philosophers,"stereo decentralization" thought first proposes the decentralization principle. Thus,it has leaded to form a more perfect "body decentralization"system; Jefferson thought not only advocates and universally supports all the people together to participate political events, but also realization of democracy should be mastered by the majority of the people rather than other groups.In the fourth part, it can express Jefferson’s main political thought by reviewing an analyzing. With analyzing the Jefferson’s main political thought, we can know some historical contributions, including promoting the American’s recognization by the core of freedom and equality; Jefferson also first proposes the decentralization principle, and establishes the basic principles of the democracy system in USA; encourages the thought of national political participation and effective protects the expression and operation of the democracy. Meanwhile, this passage pays some attention to its positive value in theory. This paper argues that Jefferson’s theory of natural rights extends people’s understanding of freedom and equality, reaches a peak of the theory of separation of powers and having some advantages in the thought of national political participation. In addition, there are some draws of the Jefferson’s main political thought, such as the limitation of freedom and equality and contradiction of the people’s right of revolution thought and finally the historical limitation of the thought of national political participation.The fifth part, the role of this part explores the significance of Jefferson’s Political Thoughts towards China’s political practice. This paper considers that some theories and principles are still suitable for the view of freedom and equality of socialism; Meanwhile, there are many ways to find a more reasonable relationship between the central and local governments and maintain and realize the people’s autonomy; Plus, it can promote and maintain the right of people and protect some basic rights and interests for the residences.