Friday, August 30, 2013

In what ways did Benjamin Franklin personify the idea of the American capitalist? How accurate were these descriptions?

Benjamin Franklin, more than any other founding father (in my opinion), personified capitalism and the American Dream. He had many qualities that made him an example of this concept.
First, he was inventive. Franklin was an intelligent and creative man who came up with many revolutionary ideas and built them to success. In this way, he personifies the creative heart of American capitalism: the idea that you can take a new idea and turn it into a business.
Second, he was tireless. His works are recorded all over American history, and it is clear that he never ceased working. He was a politician who traveled to Europe frequently, he developed and worked in the first volunteer fire department in the United States, he created a printing and news company to distribute mailers with his scientific and political ideas, and he was also an inventor.
Finally, he was an activist. In the capitalist mindset, businesspeople take an active role in their governmental proceedings, and, as a politician and founding father, Franklin was clearly heavily involved in politics. Primarily speaking, true to a capitalist mentality, he was an activist for small government and states’ rights. These are just a few things that made him the picture of capitalism.

No comments:

Post a Comment

What is the theme of the chapter Lead?

Primo Levi's complex probing of the Holocaust, including his survival of Auschwitz and pre- and post-war life, is organized around indiv...