--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Thomas Jefferson had rather serious…" description: "\"“Thomas Jefferson had rather serious concerns about the fate of the democratic experiment.28 He feared the rise of a new form of absolutism that was mo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a8/noam-chomsky-42_american-revolution_thomas-jefferson-had-rather-serious-conc_2622550.jpg" --- # Thomas Jefferson had rather serious concerns about the… ![“Thomas Jefferson had rather serious concerns about the fate of the democratic experiment.28 He feared the rise of a new form of absolutism that was more ominous than the British rule overthrown in the American Revolution. He distinguished in his later years between what he called “aristocrats and…” quote by Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a8/noam-chomsky-42_american-revolution_thomas-jefferson-had-rather-serious-conc_2622550.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a8/noam-chomsky-42_american-revolution_thomas-jefferson-had-rather-serious-conc_2622550.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a8/noam-chomsky-42_american-revolution_thomas-jefferson-had-rather-serious-conc_2622550.jpg) > ““Thomas Jefferson had rather serious concerns about the fate of the democratic experiment.28 He feared the rise of a new form of absolutism that was more ominous than the British rule overthrown in the American Revolution. He distinguished in his later years between what he called “aristocrats and democrats.”29 And then he went on to say, “I hope we shall…crush in its birth the aristocracy of our moneyed corporations, which dare already to challenge our government to a trial and bid defiance to the laws of our country.”30 He also wrote, “I sincerely believe…that banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies.”31 That’s the kind of quote from a Founding Father you don’t see too much.”” [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Jefferson feared a new absolutism from powerful corporations, seeing them as a greater threat than armies, urging early action to prevent corporate aristocracy. **In simple terms:** Corporate power threatens democracy. Key Takeaway Guard against corporate dominance early. Themes democracy corporate power history Mood critical thought‑provoking Type historical philosophical When to use this quote - policy reform - public awareness campaigns - anti‑monopoly legislation Key Concepts political theory economic critique Questions to Reflect On - How can societies limit corporate influence? - What historical lessons guide modern policy? A Different Perspective Balancing regulation and innovation is complex. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American revolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-revolution/) [Founding Father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/founding-father/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) ## Related quotes > [the wealthy ... live in marble mausoleums surrounded by the suspicions and neuroses that have replaced the medieval moats which once isolated so-called aristocrats…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elsa-maxwell/the-wealthy-live-in-marble-mausoleums-surrounded-by-the-suspicions/) [Elsa Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elsa-maxwell/) > [It is false to suggest that Thomas Jefferson or any other Founding Father believed in a legal barrier to God in the public square.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/newt-gingrich/it-is-false-to-suggest-that-thomas-jefferson-or-any-other-founding/) [Newt Gingrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/newt-gingrich/) > [“The American Revolution and its aftermath coincided with two great transformations in the late eighteenth century. 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