Essay, Research Paper
The Founding Father?s views on government were influenced by both the classical republican and the natural rights philosophers. The two groups of philosophers held very different views on how a government should run. The classical republicans believed that the individual should sacrifice his or her personal freedoms in order to gain the greater good. The natural rights philosophers, on the other hand, held that a person?s individual freedoms out to be preserved at all costs. The two greatest examples of historical precedent in republican government were the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, which both gave the people a great deal of power in the government by allowing them a voice. The natural rights philosophers favored the Greeks, while most classical republicans admired the Romans.
The theory of classical republicanism is that the best society is one that promotes the common good instead of individual interests. One of the ways that this is done is by limiting individual rights. This idea began in Rome in 509 after King Servius? successor Tarquin the Proud behaved in such a tyrannical way that the outraged aristocracy ousted him. In response to the unspeakable treatment, the Romans changed the government?s job. The elite proclaimed themselves the protectors of Rome against tyranny. This mindset became crucial to the ideology through which they justified their political supremacy. From this point on, there would be intense suspicion of any individual who tried to turn popular support into personal power.
Numerous problems can arise in a society which emphasizes both individual rights and the common good because the two goals are often conflicting in nature. Everyone desires individual rights, but to protect the common good a social contract must be in effect. This means that some personal rights must be sacrificed for the good of the community. The natural rights philosophy considered the rights of the individual to be of primary importance, but classical republicans held that the community?s interests were more important. Classical republicans required that people care for each other in small communities, and shared similarities in finances and religion. This required an official religion and a single set of family standards had to be followed. Thus it was obvious that this would not work in America, since so many people had come here to escape their official religions and to seek economic opportunity.
The classical republicans stressed the need for moral education and homogeneity in order to protect the interests of society. They believed that if society was homogenous, that there would be fewer problems. If a society did not have homogeneity, they feared that it would splinter in factions, which would oppose the common good in favor of self-interest. Classical republicans tried to avoid these differences in property, religion, and social interaction by establishing a standard, but were unsuccessful.
Democracy is founded on a combination of the classical republican and natural rights philosophies. James Madison formed the combination, called democratic republicanism. It includes the liberty and equality for a democracy (natural rights) and the need for order, and checking the corrosive effects of inequality that were involved in classical republicanism. Philosophers such as Niccolo Machiavelli and B.F. Skinner have each contributed to the principal of social welfare. This is relevant to modern society through the actions of democracies around the world. Our government and others like it strive to promote the common good, while not limiting personal freedoms. Within all three branches of our government, be they judicial, legislative, or executive, we can see the enduring imprints of classical republicanism.
Другие работы по теме:
West, Benjamin
Бенджамин Уэст. Художник - исторические, религиозные и мифологические темы.
My Life As A Poet Essay Research
Paper Are the philosophical, educational, and sociological theories of childhood reflected in literature for children? If so, how? To what extent does Aesop contribute to our understanding of many early children’s books?
System Of Beliefs Essay Research Paper The
System Of Beliefs Essay, Research Paper The ?love of wisdom?. This, the literal meaning of philosophy, deals with the most general questions about the universe and our place in it. It attempts to ask questions which seemingly can never be answered empirically nor by observation or experiment. It is concerned with the common core of human knowledge and experience but also with the concepts, modes of argument, and foundations of other subjects like science, history, art, politics and religion.
Thinking Values And Essay Essay Research Paper
Thinking, Values, and BeliefsEssay written by O. ColtonIdeology is a way of thinking that reflect the social needs and political doctrines of an individual or group. There are many different people and different circumstances this results in a variety of different ways of thinking, values and beliefs.
American Idealism In
“O Pioneers!” Essay, Research Paper American Idealism in “O Pioneers!” One of the foundations of America and one of the things that make America great is it’s idealism. Immigrants made their way to America with the attitude that they could
Benefits Of Federalists Essay Research Paper Benefits
Benefits Of Federalists Essay, Research Paper Benefits of Federalists It is beneficial that Federalists had the most power in the American government for a time before the Republicans gained power. During the Federalist s rule they were successful in creating foundations that allowed others to build upon, but not radically change, the progress of the nation.
Changes Before The Revolution For Colonists Essay
, Research Paper Between the settlement at Jamestown in 1607 and the Treaty of Paris in 1763, the most important change that occurred in the colonies was the extension of British ideals far beyond the practice in England itself. Changes in religion, economics, politics and social structures illustrate this Americanization of the transplanted Europeans.
Historical Trash Talk Essay Research Paper One
Historical Trash Talk Essay, Research Paper One of the most destructive and deceptive propaganda tricks of the modern left is the calculated misrepresentation of American history for the purpose of bolstering the liberal poltical agenda, discrediting hallowed American institutions and heroes, and legitimizing ideas and behavior that have long been condemned.
Women In Politics Essay Research Paper During
Women In Politics Essay, Research Paper During the revolutionary era, American leaders decided to use economic boycotts in their struggle against Britain. The goal of these boycotts was to stop the purchase of imported goods
Abigail Adams 2 Essay Research Paper Akers
Abigail Adams 2 Essay, Research Paper Akers describes Abigail Adams as “the nation’s best informed woman on public affairs, while never overstepping…the line nature had drawn between the sexes.” This is the books main idea of course, based on the life of Abigail Adams. She influenced her husband and second president, John Adams as well as her son and sixth president, John Quincy Adams.
Death Penalty Essay Research Paper Institutions
Death Penalty Essay, Research Paper Institutions The main idea in this essay, I believe, is how institutions can be so complex with their chain of laws, traditions, custom ideas that provide structure and order of political life. Civilization evolves and changes, and crafted by people who would mold institutions by their own ideology or philosophical view of politics.
Alien And Sedition Acts Essay Research Paper
As far as a new nation is concerned, everything is a factor in developing the personality and character of its politics. Whether negative or positive events occur does not matter, for in the capricious nature of the new nation any event is a big event for the people taking charge for the first time. These affairs can be grouped into two loose categories: domestic and foreign.
Gilded Age By Mark Twain Essay Research
Paper The last quarter of the nineteenth century was dubbed the Gilded Age by Mark Twain for its shallowness and corruption in both American society and politics. The most consuming governmental issues at the national level were the tariff, currency, civil-service reform, and government regulation of railroads, but the prevailing sentiment in Washington was to run a limited, laissez-faire government that would foster economic growth.
This Is One Of Them Essay Research
Paper … Art And Music (33) Free essays on art, music, dance and more Biographies (152) Free essays on famous historical figures Creative Writing (100) new
African Slave Trade Essay Research Paper Philosophy
African Slave Trade Essay, Research Paper Philosophy and the Afro-American Experience In this thesis, Cornel West attempts to illustrate that particular techniques in certain forms of philosophy could enable one s understanding of the Afro-American experience. West uses the term, Afro-American philosophy when referring to these techniques.
American Government And Politics Essay Research Paper
American Government and Politics The founders of this country wanted a government with have power, but they didn t want a government with too much of it. To accomplish this they wrote ways to limit the government s use of power. By doing this they also enable the citizens of he country to remain free and not have to worry about the government have too much power.
The Jewish American Family Essay Research Paper
The Jewish American Family Historical Background The settlement of Jews in America is an old one. Jews have been in America since the colonial period, though they began arriving in large numbers only one hundred years ago. The immigration of Jews to America occurred in three major historical waves involving people from three national locations:
Book Reviews On Politics In 17Th Century
Europe Essay, Research Paper The two journals that I chose to use for my reviews were History and Theory: Studies in the Philosophy of History published at Wesleyan University, and Renaissance Forum. I will be looking at two reviews of historical Books written about two very different places and themes.
How Important Is A Political Canadates Religion
In American Poitics? Essay, Research Paper How Important is a Political Candidates Religion in American Politics? Religion and Politics have played a loud and at some times discordant counterpoint in the United States for many years. There has always been a correlation between conservative politics and fundamentalist religion in American History.
American Civil Religion And Politics Essay Research
Paper American Civil Religion and Politics My major area of study is Political Science, and even if you haven’t majored in political studies you know that there are few things left untouched by politics. Religion, of course, is no exception. Issues concerning religion are some of the most hotly contested topics in politics today.
Thanksgiving Essay Research Paper The First ThanksgivingWhen
Thanksgiving Essay, Research Paper The First Thanksgiving When the Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock almost four centuries ago, settlers laid the foundations for a republic. Thanksgiving is a traditional American holiday celebrated on the third Thursday in November. The roots of the holiday date back to the early 17th century when a group of settlers made a difficult voyage from Europe to start a colony.
Richard Hofstadter
’s The American Political Tradition Essay, Research Paper Richard Hofstadter’s The American Political Tradition, like all his other writings, was greatly influenced by the ideology of the time period in which
Witchs During The 1500 Essay Research Paper
The European witch craze is easily understood when placed within the historical context of the seventeenth century. Explain this statement, supporting your answer by discussing issues of gender, politics, economics, and religion.
Peace In The Middle East Essay Research
Paper Throughout history religious groups have always claimed the Holy Land which ispresently know as Israel. There are two primary groups who think that they have right tothe land, the Arabs and the Israelis. There are three main claims of land in the disputebetween the Arabs and Israelis: historical, and political.
Political Socialization Essay Research Paper Political SocializationA
Political Socialization Essay, Research Paper Political Socialization A person is fed information throughout their life from various outside influences, this is how one forms values, views and opinions, and from this, one shapes their political views based on what they believe or have been taught to believe.
Historical Speeches Essay Research Paper Historical SpeechesEvery
Historical Speeches Essay, Research Paper Historical Speeches Every political moment seeks a great orator to proclaim its hopes and dreams. Historical figures left speeches that inspire us, even in the future. Many of them have given numerous memorable speeches in an effort to change the minds of the world.
Changing Roles Of Women Due To The
Revolution Essay, Research Paper changing roles of women due to the revolution. During the revolutionary era, American leaders decided to use economic boycotts in theirstruggle against Britain. The goal of these boycotts was to stop the purchase of imported goods(which could only be purchased from England).
Locke And The American Political System Essay
, Research Paper John Locke and his ideas about philosophy was a major influence on the American political system, not to mention many other political systems, too. His ideas were very
Asian American Literature Essay Research Paper Asian
Asian American Literature Essay, Research Paper Asian Americans seem to be fighting an unwinnable battle when it comes to the content of their writing. Writers are criticized by whites for speaking out against discrimination, and by their fellow Asian Americans for contributing to the stereotypes through their silence.
Reflections On The French Revo Essay Research
Paper Edmund Burke s Reflections on the French Revolution Edmund Burke s renowned book of 1790 is as famous as any text in the history of politics, and as controversial. Reflections on the French Revolution has been and will
AfroAmerican Dance Essay Research Paper Samuel A
Afro-American Dance Essay, Research Paper Samuel A. Floyd, Jr. stated in his essay that the development of Black music and Black dance in the United States each influenced the other in their mutually dependent evaluations. In Floyd’s essay he touch’s base with only some of the numerously wide variety of historical dancers, dances of the Afro-American culture, and music compositions that lead to the development of Black dance in the United States.