American Populist Party
Encyclopedia
The American Populist Party, founded in 2009, is a minor political party
which claims to advocate "classical liberalism" and a return to what they call "genuine" Constitutional government. As such it is an amalgam of classical liberalism and modern conservatism. The American Populist Party should not be confused with the Populist Party of America
or the Populist Party (United States)
or any of the several other American parties called "Populist", and it has no relationship to several historical parties of the same name. The American Populist Party is a coalition of grass roots activists, ranging in political ideology from the left to the right, who are working to enact Constitutional reforms through the amendment process.
in favor of libertarian social ideals. The platform emphasizes the importance of limiting special interest influence in national politics, and advocates fiscal transparency through rigorous audits and oversight, as well as background checks for elected officials. The party's proposed Constitutional amendments are focused in three areas: fiscal limits on the federal government, restoring the balance of political power between the States and the federal government, and constraining the judiciary regarding the interpretation of the Constitution.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
which claims to advocate "classical liberalism" and a return to what they call "genuine" Constitutional government. As such it is an amalgam of classical liberalism and modern conservatism. The American Populist Party should not be confused with the Populist Party of America
Populist Party of America
The Populist Party of America, founded in 2002, is an "anti-statist", libertarian political party which claims to offer "real solutions" to American problems through the establishment of what they have termed "constitutional democracy"...
or the Populist Party (United States)
Populist Party (United States)
The People's Party, also known as the "Populists", was a short-lived political party in the United States established in 1891. It was most important in 1892-96, then rapidly faded away...
or any of the several other American parties called "Populist", and it has no relationship to several historical parties of the same name. The American Populist Party is a coalition of grass roots activists, ranging in political ideology from the left to the right, who are working to enact Constitutional reforms through the amendment process.
History
The American Populist Party was founded in early 2009 with the intent of introducing a series of 14 Constitutional Amendments to guarantee that the United States government respects the limits prescribed for it by the People. Since October 2009 the party has opened offices in five states, including California, Colorado, Texas, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. The party identifies with historical parties of the same name, in the areas of preventing poverty, curtailing corporate abuses, and the quest for a sound monetary policy. It diverges from them with its emphasis on Constitutional methods to accomplish those goals.Platform
The American Populist Party ideology is based on the classical liberal political ideology of Thomas Jefferson. It invokes natural rights as espoused by John Locke, and idealizes Rousseau's philosophy of the social contract. The party platform considers the US Constitution to be an affirmative grant of limited powers by the people to the federal government, for the express purpose of protecting the natural rights of individuals and the integrity and sovereignty of the several states. As such is emphasizes checks and balances and the separation and non-delegation of powers. The party platform adheres to the practical pillars of modern conservatism, including small government, fiscal sanity, a sound defense posture, and the preservation of individual rights and freedoms, but it rejects social conservatismSocial conservatism
Social Conservatism is primarily a political, and usually morally influenced, ideology that focuses on the preservation of what are seen as traditional values. Social conservatism is a form of authoritarianism often associated with the position that the federal government should have a greater role...
in favor of libertarian social ideals. The platform emphasizes the importance of limiting special interest influence in national politics, and advocates fiscal transparency through rigorous audits and oversight, as well as background checks for elected officials. The party's proposed Constitutional amendments are focused in three areas: fiscal limits on the federal government, restoring the balance of political power between the States and the federal government, and constraining the judiciary regarding the interpretation of the Constitution.
See also
- Classical liberalismClassical liberalismClassical liberalism is the philosophy committed to the ideal of limited government, constitutionalism, rule of law, due process, and liberty of individuals including freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and free markets....
- PopulismPopulismPopulism can be defined as an ideology, political philosophy, or type of discourse. Generally, a common theme compares "the people" against "the elite", and urges social and political system changes. It can also be defined as a rhetorical style employed by members of various political or social...
- Populist Party (United States)Populist Party (United States)The People's Party, also known as the "Populists", was a short-lived political party in the United States established in 1891. It was most important in 1892-96, then rapidly faded away...
- Separation of powersSeparation of powersThe separation of powers, often imprecisely used interchangeably with the trias politica principle, is a model for the governance of a state. The model was first developed in ancient Greece and came into widespread use by the Roman Republic as part of the unmodified Constitution of the Roman Republic...
- Nondelegation doctrineNondelegation doctrineThe doctrine of nondelegation describes the theory that one branch of government must not authorize another entity to exercise the power or function which it is constitutionally authorized to exercise itself. It is explicit or implicit in all written constitutions that impose a strict structural...
- Corporate personhood debate