Ben Franklin: Homo Economicus

Inventing a Self Rags to Riches Story Self-Creation, Self-Invention Self in the Making

Declaration of Independence We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed

Points to Consider Self-Evident Truths –How self evident are these truths? Inalienable Rights –If they are inalienable, why are colonists claiming to have been alienated from these rights? Governments rule through consent –Who decides when consent is to be withdrawn?

Declaration of Independence We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved

More Points Document declares the colonies to be no longer colonies of Great Britain “are and ought”: document simultaneously claims the colonies to be self-governing, and that they ought to be so –On whose authority is this claim being made? Can a written or spoken claim make it so?

The Drama of Self-Invention Both Franklin and the Declaration describe an entity they themselves created. Franklin understands himself to be an authored text Declaration authors The United States of America

Ben Franklin as Text Wants to correct his faults (3) Draws attention to his “Errata” (21,42) Believes they can be corrected (62,67) Moral self-correction=editing himself Daily Schedule=becoming the text

Franklin and “Character” “something of his person and character” (10) “a known character of liberal promises” “this good man’s character” (47) “began to give us credit and character” (59)

Ben Franklin and $$$ From nothing to somethine Debt-Credit Relations Debt=obligation to another Credit=obligation to Ben Franklin Credit is symbolic=BF “credited” with a good character Credit as Problem=you must “make good” on the credit people give you.

Republicanism vs Liberalism 2 styles of Democratic politics Republicanism: civil society secured through suppression of self-interest in favor of communal welfare. Virtue the result of self-discipline; virtuous individuals together make civil and polite society. Virtue secures order when power is shared by many (rather than by a monarch)

Franklin as Republican Self-discipline, self-denial, central to his success Virtue, even its appearance, part of his effort at self-presentation Successful when he is unseen

Liberalism Freedom of individuals the basis of democracy Individuals motivated by self-interest: “freedom from” permits the pursuit of self- interest Democratic governments should permit individuals maximum freedom and minimal restraint