To what extent can the views of Thomas Jefferson be considered as libertarian?

by Shashank1000
KurtDunn

I'm somewhat disappointed that you haven't carefully defined what you mean by 'libertarian.'

Jefferson had a very clear idea for the future of America, and it sharply contrasts with what we've become. He wished for all Americans to have large extended families that possessed self sufficient estates. Enough land to farm and resources for each extended family to feed itself.

This is why he was opposed to stronger executive powers and strong federal government, while paradoxically he broadened executive powers without formal consent with the Louisiana Purchase. As president, he had no formal power to make a land purchase, but classified the sale as a treaty with Napolean's France, because his vision for the future of america included an incredible amount of arable land.

He wanted people to have self sufficiency and more personal freedom, which rings true with a broad comparison to contemporary Libertarian ideals. I lack the formal instruction or immersion in the subject to go into this in more detail, but I think that this is the core request of your inquiry.

But if this subreddit will permit a small breach of response rules to go into speculation, I feel like this is getting away from any strictly historic review of Jefferson and his positions, as beyond exploitative colonial organizations, there were no massive multinational corporations that have populated the economic scene since globalization. I doubt he would align well with contemporary Libertarian ideals.