Did Jefferson believe that government positions should be reserved for an aristocracy of birth?

No, Thomas Jefferson did not believe that government positions should be reserved for an aristocracy of birth. He championed the idea of a meritocratic society where leadership and governance were based on individual talent and virtue rather than noble lineage. Jefferson advocated for democracy and the involvement of the common man in government, believing that a well-informed citizenry was essential for the success of a republic.