Washington and Roosevelt present the spirit of party and special interests as threats to democracy. In 1–2 sentences, draw conclusions about the origin of each. How are they similar, and how could one cause the; other?

Answer 1

Washington viewed the spirit of party as originating from factionalism and the potential for division among citizens, which could undermine national unity and lead to tyranny of the majority. Conversely, Roosevelt identified special interests as emerging from the concentration of economic power, which could manipulate political processes and distort democratic governance. Both threats stem from a divergence of priorities that prioritize group benefit over the common good, where the rise of party loyalty can exacerbate the influence of special interests, further entrenching divisions and diminishing democracy.