Mary Beth Hines

Thomas Jefferson never wrote a philosophical treatise. Nevertheless, scholarly analysis of his political writings reveals consistent philosophical themes. One of the most prominent of these is a uniquely Jeffersonian theory of dissent in a democracy. Jefferson is frequently cited in defense of dissent; yet his ideas on this topic are seldom seen in context of the totality of his prolific writings. No detailed study has hiterto been undertaken to provide a fuller understanding of Jefferson's position on the legitimacy or necessity of dissent. This study suggests that Jefferson advocated dissent for specific reasons and under carefully defined conditions in the pursuit of meticulously identified goals. Jefferson not only countenanced dissent but believed in its philosophic inevitability. This study therefore entails an examination of the implications and consequences on that belief. ;To accomplish this task, it was necessary to present and analyze Jefferson's political thought in its historical and philosophical context; to identify and examine Jefferson's recommendations for political conduct to determine his position on the question of dissent; and to ascertain if his statements on that subject amounted to a coherent and consistent theory. ;Jeffersonian dissent was less an isolated act than it was an attitude. For Jefferson, democratic dissent was not a mere event but a process characterized by persistence and forebearance, passion and intellect. His papers and speeches articulate a broad view of dissent which includes a series of alternative means and increasingly more forceful measures to bring government to task, and to assist it to recognize and fulfill its constitutional purpose. Dissent is not espoused by Jefferson only as a corrective to a wayward or insensitive government; dissent plays a creative role as well: it is indispensable in the construction, maintenance and enhancement of a society of free, politically articulate and self-governing men. His writings have made it clear that he envisioned dissent as a logical product of a creative relationship between man and his government, a nexus which not only recognizes but promotes a dynamic mutuality of rights and their attendant responsibilities. ;While the first two chapters of this study provide the background necessary to understand Jefferson's political philosophy, chapters three and four are central to an examination of the philosophical foundations and the practical implications of dissent. The fifth chapter concentrates on dissent in its creative function, as an exercise of reason and a search for the political good. The final chapter draws together the study's major themes in nine concluding observations on Jefferson's theory of dissent. ;This study demonstrates that Jefferson presents a seminal theory of truly democratic dissent. He provides us with a new political and philosophical synthesis, blending theory with the pragmatic requirements of egalitarian government