Hoover’s Praise of American Exceptionalism
In his campaign speech, Herbert Hoover praised the United States and its system, highlighting its unique nature and the fact that there is no comparable nation in the world. The initial statement of Hoover is that “It is just as definite and positive a political and social system as has ever been developed on earth” (Hoover, 1928). As a Republican candidate for president, the man emphasized the superiority of the country.
For example, he highlights that the self-government form of the nation, implying its decentralization, creates a sense of justice and accountability. Moreover, the principles of “ordered liberty, freedom, and equal opportunity” are of paramount importance to the United States of America, making it unique (Hoover, 1928). As a result, Hoover believed that the country was not only exceptional but also progressed quickly than any other state in the world.
Views on Capitalism and International Comparison
When discussing the nation’s superiority, the candidate draws a parallel between the U.S. and other countries, such as Russia. Hoover made it clear that the USSR was inferior, despite having the same resources and a hardworking people. The United States of America, based on the perspective of the man, is great and powerful “because of this freedom of initiative and enterprise” (Hoover, 1928). In other words, capitalism and free markets, along with the absence of government interference, are the pillars of America’s success, making it incomparable to other nations.
FDR’s Response to the Great Depression
In his Inaugural Address, Franklin Delano Roosevelt famously referred to fear as the only thing the nation had to be afraid of. Through such a statement, Roosevelt aimed to demonstrate that fear was the most significant impediment to recovery from the Great Depression. It is the driving force of pessimism in the masses and only “paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance” (Roosevelt, 1933). To counteract fear and crises, the official emphasizes, “We must act and act quickly” (Roosevelt, 1933). In his opinion, the only way in which the nation can deal with the conditions of economic uncertainty and hardship is through bold and decisive actions.
Finally, Franklin D. Roosevelt highlights the primary issue that affects citizens the most, which is unemployment. According to the President, “Our greatest primary task is to put people to work” (Roosevelt, 1933). However, aside from claiming that this challenge must be addressed, Roosevelt illuminates a course of action for the nation and authorities. Based on his perspective, employment should be increased through additional projects, which could stimulate the economy and further create jobs. As a result, this speech aims to inspire the nation with hope and a renewed willingness to fight for prosperity and a quicker recovery from the Great Depression.
Two examples of what Roosevelt believed the government must do to combat the challenges caused by the Great Depression are the establishment of social welfare programs and the promotion of economic recovery through public works projects. On the one hand, as mentioned earlier, the primary goal of the nation was to increase employment and provide jobs for citizens, thereby creating a sense of stability and predictability. As highlighted by the President, the authorities were expected to treat “the task as [they] would treat the emergency of a war” (Roosevelt, 1933). This means that there were no alternatives or negotiations regarding the importance of this task, and this was the primary step to a better future.
On the other hand, another task that went hand in hand with raising employment was the development of social welfare programs. The President made clear that a high concentration of citizens in urban areas can pose significant challenges and lead to “foreclosure of our small homes and our farms” (Roosevelt, 1933). This is why supporting agricultural businesses and their outputs was of paramount importance. As Roosevelt stated, this was the “endeavor to provide a better use of the land for those best fitted for the land” (Roosevelt, 1933). In other words, it was crucial to support the initiatives of those living in rural areas, creating equality and better opportunities.
Hoover vs. Roosevelt: Patriotism and Economic Intervention
Both Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Herbert Hoover were patriots who believed in the strength and bright future of the United States. In his speech, Hoover made it clear that the U.S. was a nation with a system “advanced beyond all the world” (Hoover, 1928). The belief in the country’s superiority and uniqueness led Hoover to focus on the positive aspects of the freedom and opportunities available to each American. Similarly, Roosevelt believed that the United States of America was a “great nation” that would “revive and prosper” (Roosevelt, 1933). He, too, emphasized the power of American resilience and its continuous progress despite crises.
Nevertheless, there are specific differences between the two speeches that primarily lie in the extent to which the government should intervene in the economy. For example, Hoover believed that “a particular conception of self-government in which decentralized local responsibility is the very base” is the pillar of the American system (Roosevelt, 1933). The candidate claimed that government interference is only acceptable during times of war (Roosevelt, 1933).
Meanwhile, Roosevelt implicitly stated that without government control, unity, and collaboration, the economy would collapse. As the President emphasizes, there has never been a time when such “an interdependence on each other” was so crucial (Roosevelt, 1933). Therefore, given the varying economic circumstances, the positions of the two men differ in terms of their political involvement in the economy.
Personal Opinion
After careful consideration of both speeches, I share Roosevelt’s perspective. Hoover’s speech appealed to the emotions of the audience, contrasting the American system’s lack of “centralized despotism” with its freedom and free market, which made the nation strong (Hoover, 1928). However, as time has shown, limited government intervention can lead to catastrophic results. Instead, a balanced approach involving the authorities is required for the sake of security. As stated by Roosevelt, to offer a “rounded and permanent national life,” action must be taken (Roosevelt, 1933). The interests of citizens must be prioritized above all else, and social safety nets can only be effectively offered through government regulation.
Moreover, it is crucial to understand that human rights can only be protected when the government is aware of the issue and takes action, rather than relying on the self-correction of tumultuous situations. As Roosevelt referred to the Great Depression, this was the issue when authorities had to “face it wisely and courageously” (Roosevelt, 1933). Indeed, there must be equilibrium in the government’s actions, steering citizens in the right direction. Overall, the role of the government is to be the invisible hand that supports communities, especially the underprivileged ones, rather than giving full freedom to businesses, authorities, and individuals.
Works Cited
Hoover, Herbert H. “Campaign Speech Madison Square Garden, New York Herbert H. Hoover October 22, 1928.” Pepperdine School of Public Policy.
Roosevelt, Franklin D. “Inaugural Address The New Deal March 4, 1933.” Pepperdine School of Public Policy.