New Nationalism
The text pf Theodore Roosevelt's "New Nationalism" speech from 1910 and questions to guide students in examining how it influenced American political thought.
New Nationalism, Teddy Roosevelt, August 31, 1910
Objectives
- I can understand the origins of primary elections.
- I can assess the effectiveness of a primary system.
Building Context
Primary elections are a mainstay of American politics in the twenty-first century, especially during presidential election cycles, when voters select which candidate they want to run in the general election. During the nineteenth century, however, officials within the political party organizations selected the candidate. Top-ranking party members would meet, and after discussing, debating, and making compromises, they would select their candidate. This system came under criticism during the Progressive Era amid concerns that political party organizations were corrupt and did not represent the true interests of the people.
Teddy Roosevelt, a Republican president from 1901–1909, decided soon after he left office that he would run for president again in 1912. He believed that party bosses were not representing the true interests of the people and delivered this speech in 1910 to outline what reforms he believed the country needed.
Theodore Roosevelt
New Nationalism
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Our country–this great Republic– means nothing unless it means the triumph of a real democracy, the triumph of popular government…Our government, National and State, must be freed from the sinister influence or control of special interests. Exactly as the special interests of cotton and slavery threatened our political integrity before the Civil War, so now the great special business interests too often control and corrupt the men and methods of government for their own profit. We must drive the special interests out of politics. That is one of our tasks to-day… |
In order for the United States to truly be a government run by “the people,” the influence of special interests in politics must be removed. |
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If our political institutions were perfect, they would absolutely prevent the political domination of money in any part of our affairs. We need to make our political representatives more quickly and sensitively responsive to the people whose servants they are. More direct action by the people in their own affairs under proper safeguards is vitally necessary. The direct primary is a step in this direction… |
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One of the fundamental necessities in a representative government such as ours is to make certain that the men to whom the people delegate their power shall serve the people by whom they are elected, and not the special interests… The object of government is the welfare of the people. |
Analysis Questions
- In your own words, explain what Roosevelt believes to be the impact of special interests on politics.
- How would allowing voters to directly choose their candidates via primaries address the issues that Roosevelt claimed existed at the time?
- Do you believe that a primary system for selecting candidates is a good thing? Explain your answer. What are some potential downsides to having voters, and not party leaders, select the party’s candidate?
- How can the primary system push the two major parties toward more ideological extremes?
- In what ways might the primary system affect the strength of the party organizations and the national convention system to nominate candidates?