The essence of Arendt’s idea was in the fact that the power of many would not become something substantial over the course of time, as the core of Jefferson’s ward system was the power of everyone and the personal competencies of every civilian (254). This turned out to be a catalyst for Jefferson’s approach because a large society would not be able, nevertheless, to divide into powerful assemblies and function properly after that.
The ideas of revolution were an instance of an afterthought on Jefferson’s side, as Arendt had previously claimed that the ward system was holding the title of “a spirit of equal liberty” where the counsel tradition could be exemplified (250). The previous notions pushed by Jefferson were rather bold and focused on the importance of recurring revolutions, but deeper insights seemed to have demonstrated the significance of accessible alternatives for both the government and civilians in general.
Work Cited
Arendt, Hannah. On Revolution. Viking Press, 1963.