Posted on Feb 16, 2020
George Washington’s Most Important Legacy of Leadership — Relinquishing Power
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“Friends and Citizens: The period for a new election of a citizen to administer the executive government of the United States being not far distant…it appears to me proper…that I should now apprise you of the resolution I have formed to decline being considered among the number of those out of whom a choice is to be made.”
- President George Washington’s Farewell Address, 1796
In a single statement, George Washington, a student of the enlightenment and conscious of his place in history, set one of the most important precedents for our then nascent democratic Republic. He relinquished power.
Our founders were deeply concerned with monarchic political systems and the concept of absolute power and sovereignty residing in the monarch. So, they set out to create a nation in which sovereignty resides in the people. And the people self-determine who would govern them.
But it was George Washington — through his actions — who perfected this concept of self-determination.
George Washington could have continued to run for office and likely would have been re-elected to the Presidency (or any other office) for as long as he wanted and his life could bear (Washington died in December 1799). But he didn’t. This is because he knew that for the nation to evolve and thrive for generations into the future; leaders would have to relinquish power.
It’s a powerful concept — unobserved today.
Looking at some of the leading candidates running for President of the United States, one thing jumps out — they have been in power for a long time.
Let’s take two examples.
Bernie Sanders entered politics as the mayor of Burlington, Vermont in 1981. He served in that role through 1989. Then became a Member of the US House of Representatives in 1989 and served in that capacity until 2007. In 2007, he became a US Senator where he remains. In other words, he held formal positions of political power for going on 39 years!?!
How about Joe Biden? After briefly serving on the New Castle County Council (1970-1972), he was elected as a US Senator. Biden served as a Senator from 1972-2009. In 2009, he resigned from the Senate and was sworn in as Vice President of the United States, serving in that capacity for two-terms through 2017.
Including his town council time, that is 47 years, folks!? One has to wonder what George Washington and his contemporaries would have thought of this.
It is true that sovereignty resided in the people over the period of these gentlemens’ service — the people elected them. But I want to focus in on their concept of leadership — political leadership.
These men clearly chose not to follow George Washington’s precedent of relinquishing power. A precedent that was not only about peacefully leaving office, but also about leaving the political scene.
So, one wonders what impact would the “Washington Precedent” have on our country if followed in our politics today.
Well, certainly new blood and new ideas would enter our governing bodies — particularly Congress. And no doubt the “Washington Precedent” would mean we’d have more people with knowledge about our Federal government returning to private society — perhaps bridging that seeming gap between Washington and the rest of society. But I don’t think these are the most important outcomes of applying the “Washington Precedent” today.
The most important impact of the “Washington Precedent” — one known well to us Veterans — is that of re-establishing trust in the system.
In the military, we would relinquish power — constantly. How many change of command ceremonies did you participate in? What change of command brings to the military system is change in the dynamic between those who lead and those who are led.
It creates an opening for a new dynamic to be established and for new issues to be tackled. It also allows those being led to be part of establishing this new system. A system that is not led by a singular personality (can you imagine a Battalion Commander for 47 years!?!), but instead one that is renewed and guided by norms and practices — informed those who are led.
In other words, a system led by a singular personality (or just a few personalities) crowds out the ability of the system itself to work.
Our system. Our Constitution. Our institutions. All have to be bigger than any personality.
But what George Washington also shows us is that it takes the personalities in the system to recognize this — and relinquish power.
So, on this Presidents Day, perhaps a call should go out for the “Washington Precedent” to return to our politics — so our democratic system can thrive for generations to come.
Just as George Washington envisioned all the way back in 1796.
Alex Gallo is a Contributor to RallyPoint and a Veteran.
- President George Washington’s Farewell Address, 1796
In a single statement, George Washington, a student of the enlightenment and conscious of his place in history, set one of the most important precedents for our then nascent democratic Republic. He relinquished power.
Our founders were deeply concerned with monarchic political systems and the concept of absolute power and sovereignty residing in the monarch. So, they set out to create a nation in which sovereignty resides in the people. And the people self-determine who would govern them.
But it was George Washington — through his actions — who perfected this concept of self-determination.
George Washington could have continued to run for office and likely would have been re-elected to the Presidency (or any other office) for as long as he wanted and his life could bear (Washington died in December 1799). But he didn’t. This is because he knew that for the nation to evolve and thrive for generations into the future; leaders would have to relinquish power.
It’s a powerful concept — unobserved today.
Looking at some of the leading candidates running for President of the United States, one thing jumps out — they have been in power for a long time.
Let’s take two examples.
Bernie Sanders entered politics as the mayor of Burlington, Vermont in 1981. He served in that role through 1989. Then became a Member of the US House of Representatives in 1989 and served in that capacity until 2007. In 2007, he became a US Senator where he remains. In other words, he held formal positions of political power for going on 39 years!?!
How about Joe Biden? After briefly serving on the New Castle County Council (1970-1972), he was elected as a US Senator. Biden served as a Senator from 1972-2009. In 2009, he resigned from the Senate and was sworn in as Vice President of the United States, serving in that capacity for two-terms through 2017.
Including his town council time, that is 47 years, folks!? One has to wonder what George Washington and his contemporaries would have thought of this.
It is true that sovereignty resided in the people over the period of these gentlemens’ service — the people elected them. But I want to focus in on their concept of leadership — political leadership.
These men clearly chose not to follow George Washington’s precedent of relinquishing power. A precedent that was not only about peacefully leaving office, but also about leaving the political scene.
So, one wonders what impact would the “Washington Precedent” have on our country if followed in our politics today.
Well, certainly new blood and new ideas would enter our governing bodies — particularly Congress. And no doubt the “Washington Precedent” would mean we’d have more people with knowledge about our Federal government returning to private society — perhaps bridging that seeming gap between Washington and the rest of society. But I don’t think these are the most important outcomes of applying the “Washington Precedent” today.
The most important impact of the “Washington Precedent” — one known well to us Veterans — is that of re-establishing trust in the system.
In the military, we would relinquish power — constantly. How many change of command ceremonies did you participate in? What change of command brings to the military system is change in the dynamic between those who lead and those who are led.
It creates an opening for a new dynamic to be established and for new issues to be tackled. It also allows those being led to be part of establishing this new system. A system that is not led by a singular personality (can you imagine a Battalion Commander for 47 years!?!), but instead one that is renewed and guided by norms and practices — informed those who are led.
In other words, a system led by a singular personality (or just a few personalities) crowds out the ability of the system itself to work.
Our system. Our Constitution. Our institutions. All have to be bigger than any personality.
But what George Washington also shows us is that it takes the personalities in the system to recognize this — and relinquish power.
So, on this Presidents Day, perhaps a call should go out for the “Washington Precedent” to return to our politics — so our democratic system can thrive for generations to come.
Just as George Washington envisioned all the way back in 1796.
Alex Gallo is a Contributor to RallyPoint and a Veteran.
Posted in these groups: 
George Washington
Office of the President (POTUS)
American History
World History
VetSpective
George Washington Office of the President (POTUS) American History World History VetSpective
Edited 5 y ago
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 46
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As I understand it, the Founders didn’t envision government being a lifetime career, but a temporary service and back home. A few self limit themselves, but a career move for most. We are responsible for what they do.
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SMSgt Billy Cesarano
In the beginning the discussion very much did come up. I refer you to Article I Section 6 of the Constitution. As well did the topic of limiting congresses ability to give itself a raise, which it never could since it must go through the same process as any spending bill. What was eventually enacted (see the 27th amendment) was the restriction of any congress to vote in a raise for that congress. Essentially, the next congress would be the benefactors. It was proposed in the first congress in 1789 and took over 200 years to make it in the amendments.
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I could not but help noticing this article only mentions Democrats. I believe we have a number of Republicans that have been "in power" for a considerable amount of time also.
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MSG Stan Hutchison
Sgt Dan Catlin - "That's easy. First step is an amendment to the Constitution "
There is nothing "easy" about amending the Constitution. Rightfully so.
There is nothing "easy" about amending the Constitution. Rightfully so.
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Sgt Dan Catlin
MSG Stan Hutchison - The answer is easy. The doing takes commitment, you are correct. So we can play word games here all day Top. And you are an analyst, so you can probably pick apart everything I say. But in the end it comes down to either we institute term limits or see the current obstruction for obstructionisms sake scenario play over and over again. And term limits for congress WILL require an amendment to the constitution. Easy answer. But you are correct, rightfully hard to do.
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SFC James Welch
Put it on the ballot. Let us vote for or against it. Politicians will NEVER vote for Term Limits. Can’t get rich fast enough!MSG Stan Hutchison
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He is accomplished in so many ways. He is considered one of the finest revolutionaries in world history. He was also a surveyor and it gave him the opportunity to learn the land and probably the people as well.
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MAJ Ken Landgren
SPC Nancy Greene - Ok off the top of my head Washington was instrumental in raising an army and using the militia. Many of them needed to go back to their farms to harvest. He worried about feeding, clothing, supplying, and paying them. He fought battles but also had to think about the strategic perspective of fighting a war. He worked with the French who supplied and fought with Washington's forces to include flexing naval power. He also worked with the Continental Congress. Is this suitable to you Ms Nancy?
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