The Change In Democracy

On the Change in Democracy and its Evaluation and Analysis The word “democracy” comes from the Greek words demos, meaning “the people,” and kratia, meaning “rule.” The word democracy then translates as “the people rule.” However, throughout history, the idea of democracy has changed. An analysis of the change in the idea of democracy after 1814 reveals that: campaigning and ambition stopped being horrific words, property ownership ceased to be a requirement for voting, and equality got a new meaning. Prior to 1814, ambition and campaigning were not the best of things. James Madison wrote that ambition and private interest “are proved by experience to be the most prevalent” motives from which “representative appointments are sought” (Madison). The essence of Madison’s argument is that the elected too often form, through ambition and private interests, goals contrary to those who elect. Later David Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier, later wrote that “if your ambition or circumstances compel you to serve you country…by becoming a member of the legislature” to campaign and make yourself known (Crockett). In brief, Crockett is saying not only can ambition drive you, campaign also. Before 1814, campaigning and ambition would not have gotten you elected.
Before 1814, the one way you were allowed to vote is if you had property.
The Virginia Constitution stated that if you were male, sane and had a “freehold estate in [one fourth of an acre] of land in any town, or in [25] acres of land in the country,” you could vote (Virginia Constitution). Ergo, if you had no land, you could not vote. Later after the middle class developed and wealth was not based on property but money, property voting rights ceased to exist. George S. Camp, a popular author, wrote “the fire or storms may devour my wealth in an hour: am I less competent to vote?” (Camp). In other words, Camp believes that just because he has no property, he still has wealth and should be able to
vote. Before 1814, every white man was believed to be created equal. The Declaration of Independence stated “all men are created equal” and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen stated “men are born and remain free and equal in rights” (Dec. of Indep.; Dec. of the Rights of Man and the Citizen, 1). Later, class developed and some people did better than others. C.W Jansen said “arrogance of domestic [servants] in this land of republican liberty and equality is particularly calculated to excite the astonishment of strangers” (Jansen). Jansen was also told that “none but [Negros] were [servants]” (Ibid). In short, democracy changed over the years. An analysis of this shows: campaigning and ambition stopped being horrific words, property ownership ceased to be a requirement for voting, and equality got a new meaning.

WORKS CITED
Camp, George S. Democracy (New York: Harper and Brothers, 1841). pp. 145-146
Crockett, David. Exploits and Adventures in Texas…1836. pp. 56-59
Declaration of Independence. 4 July 1776.
Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen. 26 August 1789
Madison, James. The Vices of the Political System of the United States. 1787
Virginia Constitution. 1776