Select ONE contemporary political movement, identify one or more symbols that are associated with it and describe the struggle that it wages over these symbols: Symbols help organize ideas, values, and experiences. But, one must be careful with the symbols because they often have unexpected meaning. Symbols play very important in politics. There are two sides of symbolic politics: the politics of symbols and the symbolic aspects of politics. The politics of symbols refers to the creation, elaboration, and the use of symbols for political purposes.
Locke's influence can be seen in documents such as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Federalist Papers. Locke’s philosophy of government, freedom, and natural rights challenged the power of England’s monarchy in Europe over the colonies in America. Although the foundations of these documents are highly influenced by John Locke's ideology, there are parts of these documents that stray away from his views. In this paper I will examine certain parts of the Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, and the Federalist Papers and argue that for the most part, if John Locke were alive today he would be pleased with these documents but I will also highlight parts of these documents that would concern him. The first document I will analyze is The Declaration of Independence which I consider to be the most influenced by Locke's ideology of any document the founders drafted.
Thucydides, Greek historian as well as a participant, writes of The Peloponnesian War and offers insight into the Athenians thoughts on why they feel it appropriate to ignore what others consider to be just or right. The Athenians believe that mere strength and power automatically grants them the authority to do as they wish and qualifies those actions as justice; and likewise those who are weaker are left no alternative than to endure what is dealt them (Newton). It is imperative to the Athenians that their subjects never think them weak, so when the Melians offered to maintain a neutral position, in order to avoid becoming involved in the ongoing dispute between the Athenian empire and the Spartan led Peloponnesian League; the Athenian’s response was an absolute no. Justice, in this case, was seen as something that was called for by the Melians, the weaker of two parties, only as a vehicle for self-preservation, and nothing more.
“Somerset and Northumberland were effective and capable rulers” Assess the validity of this interpretation. Throughout the reigns of both Northumberland and Somerset there were inevitably issues and successes on both sides. The factors we can assess are Religion, social and economic and finally foreign policy. Northumberland undoubtedly had his problems, as did Somerset, although it is clear that both were capable rulers it was just the situations they both inherited that caused their downfalls. Northumberland’s religious views were unclear as he seemed to drift between beliefs in order to achieve the most power possible for himself.
In attempting to answer the thesis stated above one will begin by evaluating the political advocacy of King and Malcolm X. King's advocacy derives from a sentiment of political activity without collective cooperation towards violence. He fought against the system defiantly but not in the same way one would suppose. He was a supporter of non-violent sit-ins and other forms of political movements that were purposely targeted towards a united state. Malcolm X on the other hand was less idealistic
Alexander Hamilton thought that the judiciary review was the important factor of the checks and balance system and necessary citadel for protecting the public justice. He thinks the general liberty is the most important thing when considering the constitutional framework. Hamilton disagrees with the legislative branch exceeding its power as despotism but accepts the power of jurisdiction as a way to protect people, which is the more important. However, for Chief Justice Marshall, the judicial review was not a way to protect the people. It was a tool for political movements and to gain authority of the judicial branch.
A major movement was the enlightenment. The enlightenment was in direct contrast to these views as it brought about a caviller dismissal of the prejudices that Burke sought to protect. Furthermore contrary to the conservative view the enlightened individuals promoted reason over reasonableness, as they believed this would liberate man from the oppression as the result of old laws. It would be foolish not to write this essay and not address Burke’s views on the French revolution. Burke opposed the instability and the reasoning of the revolution, as well as it’s potential to increase in violence and decline into anarchy, as it later did.
This is a system that places emphasis on developing moral virtues by striving for moderation. For example, one of the moral virtues is courage. To live by the Golden Mean, we should express courage moderately so that it is virtuous, instead of expressing rashness – an excess of courage – or cowardice – a deficiency of courage. Martin Luther King showed courage when advocating peaceful protest in response to the oppression of minorities in the USA in the 20th Century. This was as opposed to expressing rashness by being violent, or expressing cowardice by not standing up for himself and others.
Question 1: “It is difficult to draw a man out of his own circle to interest him in the destiny of the State, because he does not clearly understand what influence the destiny of the State can have upon his own lot”. (Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America). What connections can be drawn between Tocqueville’s statement here and Transcendentalism? Various connections can be drawn when we analyze this statement with some transcendentalists texts like Self reliance by Richard Emerson, Civil disobedience written by Henri Thoreau and Women in the nineteen century by Margaret Fuller. These connections are due to the fact that Alexis de Tocqueville, along with the transcendentalists authors advocates the same essentials qualities which
Patriotism and nationalism give a sense of identity and belonging and helps maintain authority and social order. It prevents social conflict by binding irrational dependent individuals together with a shared set of values, whist transcending the natural rights of the individuals. Lastly conservative nationalism is very defensive in the belief in a special nationality which is being eroded by another. This is different to Liberal nationalism because Liberals believe that nation states can live together without the other being compromised. This is highlighted with UKIP arguing that the EU erodes our principle of independence which links back to the idea of