The Jeffersonian's Conception of Party; The Development of the Idea of a Loyal Opposition

FAIN: FB-10538-70

James R. Sharp
Syracuse University (Syracuse, NY 13244-0001)

Study of the development of the two-party system in the eleven year period from the adoption of the Constitution to the election of Thomas Jefferson. Most Americans regard the development of the two-party system as a natural phenomenon and, as a consequence, often find it difficult to comprehend the political problems of new nations, especially those which develop into one-party states. Yet the US in the 1790s had many similar problems. The legitimacy of political opposition to the governing party had not been established and the major role of the Jeffersonians was to provide a rationale and defense of their opposition to the government. Study focuses on the political and intellectual history of the period.