However, the citizens wanted to make their own rules to follow, sensible and understandable rules. Further on Paine explains “the sun will never shine on a cause of greater worth?” I think that Paine is saying that it is such an issue that we should look to reform it in any way so that it is more fair to all citizens. The struggle of having a King or a Monarchy for the people at that time was difficult. The community wanted a more fair and equal government, while the king was not giving that to them. Let’s take for instance when Paine refers to the past writings of another author, Mr. Pelham “they will last my time.” The name of ancestors will be remembered for their great deeds by future generations with destinies of their own.
However, the state or any other individual has no grounds to intervene if you’re not seen to harm others. This would unfairly deprive you of the autonomy that’s rightfully yours and you would cease to be free, in the liberal sense. It could potentially lead to others having control of aspects of your life in which they have no say, something which contravenes the idea of liberalism. This extends further, as the excerpt shows. The state and other individuals cannot intervene if you decide to do something which could potentially harm yourself but not other individuals.
Every member of society is entitled to rights of security of his person and property, as well as basic liberties such as freedom of opinion and the right to live his life as he so chooses. Each person is also guaranteed certain freedoms that are seen as unconditional, that allow that individual to fulfill those basic liberties. These freedoms of conscience, self thought, and association all contribute to one’s own individuality, which Mill sees as the key to success within any society. Without these basic freedoms, people could give into the conformities of society which would in turn lead to the death of individuality. This is the worst
Personal benefits are not capable. All receive or no one receives. Absolute Equality. Chapter 15: Deputies or Representatives: The more people involved with the government, the better the government will be. People should not just give money from a distance, but give their time personally.
So, to sum up freedom most pertains/explains in to the person or people itself. Independence, on the other hand, means a freedom with rules and regulations it pertains for the country. It is being free but always entails .great responsibilities. You’ll need to think twice for every action you want to do unlike in freedom you yourself will create your own limitations and just do what you want. Independence means standing by your own without depending onto others, you must be on yourself and should not rely to someone’s decision, support/influence.
People, by their very existence, are meant to be free and maintain a level of individual liberty. “‘All men recognize the right to revolution,’ he wrote, ‘that is the right to refuse allegiance to, and to resist, the government when its tyranny and efficiency are great and unendurable.’” Gandhi felt very strongly that slavery and oppression of people was wrong and an infringement on the rights of humans and human nature. People are not obligated to follow a government who is wrong or corrupt. Despite these individual liberties, people are also bound to each other by human nature and by the invisible barriers of culture and society. In their fight for freedom from
He believed it was right that everyone stay in their place and work together for the common good of the state and its citizens, and similarly to Socrates, believed it to be unacceptable to disobey those in a higher position than yourself. While each of the philosopher’s views has their merits, and each has something to contribute to society, I do not personally agree with either of their views in full. I do not agree with submission to authority without question, because the leaders of any state are just as human as their
John Locke was one of the influential political philosophers of modern period (1632-1704). At his works he supported the claim that men are by nature free and equal against the claim that God had create all people naturally as a subject to monarch. Moreover, in his work Two Treaties of Government he argued that people have rights such as the right to life, liberty, and property that have a foundation independent of the laws of any particular society. Locke supports the right of the people to overthrow rulers who betray them; he asserts that if a leader violates the community’s trust, the people can and should replace him immediately. Similarly, if the government does not fulfill the needs of the people, it should be dissolved and replaced with other form of government which people think is the best.
One’s first interest is self-preservation, but “Lockean self-interest proves to be inseparable from service to others.” (West, 2008, p. 594) Locke also speaks of Biblical principles where a man born free must work for himself and not live off the labor of others. Men have duties as well as rights and one of those duties is that of citizenship, or civic duty. (West, 2008) This is a point missed by many Americans today. With today’s fast-paced and hectic life style, many are just trying to survive the day-to-day grind. Every American is equal under the law and they can all quote you their rights, but many do not realize that political participation and civic involvement are a duty and not an option.
In Martin Luther King’s acceptance speech for the noble peace prize, he articulates that nonviolence is a perfect answer to the crucial political and more question of our time- the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to violence and oppression. Individuals of the black race were patronized and attacked due to racial injustice. MLK created a notion of nonviolence in order to end this injustice. He emphasizes that demonstrating a nonviolent demeanor is a much powerful force, which allows social transformation. However in order for social transformation to exist we must all develop a mentality/lifestyle that rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation.