“Constitution of the United States”
Hofstadter writes, "LONG ago Horace White observed that the Constitution of the United States "is based upon the philosophy of Hobbes and the religion of Calvin. It assumes that the natural state of mankind is in a state of war, and that the carnal mind is at enmity with God." The constitution has been instrumental in shaping America's politics; hence, it governs the philosophies embraced by the politicians and the Americans. The Founding Fathers were primarily influenced by Hobbes and Calvin's ideals when writing it.
“Federal Constitution”
Hofstadter reports, "In 1788 Patrick Henry, arguing against the federal Constitution, asked: "How can the Southern members prevent the adoption of the most oppressive mode of taxation in the Southern States, as there is a majority of the Northern States?" This anxiety about the North's majority ripened like the flora of the Southern swamplands." Henry opposes the 'Federal Constitution' for he deems oppressive. The divergent viewpoints regarding the 'federal constitution' contribute to the North versus South binary. Opposition and support for the constitution are dependent on where a state is located.
Democracy
Hofstadter expounds, “Edmund Randolph, saying to the Convention that the evils from which the country suffered originated in “the turbulence and follies of democracy,” and that the great danger lay in "the democratic parts of our constitutions"; Elbridge Gerry, speaking of democracy as "the worst of all political evils." Randolph and Gerry insist that Democracy is not the most optimal form of government. Democracy is portrayed as imperfect; hence, would elicit instability. Upholding democracy would degenerate into inevitable chaos due to the superfluous power that it accords the ruled.
“American Individualism”
Hofstadter elucidates, “In Bryan’s mind the purpose of “the first battle” was to preserve classic American individualism. In one of the most frequently quoted passages of the “Cross of Gold” speech he tried to assimilate the cause of the people to American traditions of enterprise-to restore it, in effect, to respectability be underlining its bourgeois aspirations.” Individualism, which is an inherent trait for Americans, inspires Americans to strive for middle-class status. The individualism inspires Americans to strive for a reputable position in the society. Additionally, social mobility comes through individualism.
“Universal Man”
David Hume explains, "It is universally acknowledged…that there is a great uniformity among the actions of men, in all nations and ages, that human nature remains still the same, in its principles and operations. The same motives always produce the same actions. The same events always follow from the same causes." The humans' constitution is not changeable. Accordingly, the constitution would not alter human nature for it is an innate attribute that governs the activities of human especially in politics. The nature is contributory to the emergence of factions in governments and differences in political ideologies.
