Which statements draws correct conclusions about the relationship between Washington's spirit of party and Roosevelt's special interests?
A. Special interests and the spirit of party are good for democracy
B. Special interest cause the spirit of party
C. Special interest and the spirit of party are unrelated
D. Special interests are an example of the spirit of party.
D. Special interests are an example of the spirit of party.
Explanation:
George Washington famously warned against the dangers of the "spirit of party" in his Farewell Address, emphasizing the detrimental effect he believed political parties could have on the functioning of the Republic. Washington feared that factionalism could lead to a situation where the interests of the party eclipsed the common good.
Theodore Roosevelt, although from a much later period, also discussed the concept of "special interests." This term generally refers to groups or entities that seek to influence government decisions in favor of specific, narrow concerns, rather than the broader public interest. Special interests often align with particular political parties or factions within those parties to achieve their goals.
The connection between the "spirit of party" as discussed by Washington and the "special interests" mentioned by Roosevelt is that both can lead to factions prioritizing their own interests above the interests of the whole. When a political party becomes aligned with certain special interests, it may push legislation or policy decisions that benefit those interests at the expense of the wider public. Hence, special interests can be seen as modern manifestations of the "spirit of party" that Washington warned about, where loyalty to a group's specific agenda can undermine democratic processes and the pursuit of the common good.