Abstract
The Jeffersonian idea that liberty and equality would be best achieved by every man pursuing his own interest and a federal government with constrained powers, is often seen as America's traditional political philosophy. During the 20th century, three eras of government activism, particularly called to question this philosophy: the Progressive Era, the New Deal, and, the Great Society. During these three typical periods in American history, federal governement actively attempted to reform the US society with profund objectives like, winning social and economic justice, revitalizing public life and democracy, and unifying a divided society. Their priorities and achievements were different, mostly because they occurred in different social, economic and political circumstances.
