Thoreau then talks about the issue of change through democratic ways. He believes that the real problem is trying to reform with those who don’t approve of the government choices but silently offer their loyalty. Thoreau sees an opposite relationship between money and freedom. The poor man has the greatest freedom to fight because he depends the least on the government
He emphasized the magnitude and significance of individuality vs. conformity. What separated him from other people is that he was very much against violence. If you look at our nation’s history, it’s nothing but violence: wars, rebellions, etc. Even today people think that the only way to get what you want is through violence and intimidation. Words are looked at as just words with no value what so ever.
Who Do You Live For? Living through the motto “That government is best which governs least"; Henry Thoreau writes his three part essay “Civil Disobedience” to explain to readers his idea on the governmental issues he faced in his time (Thoreau 1.1). Criticizing the usefulness of the government to society Thoreau feels that instead of following rules set by the government men as a whole should stand up for what they believe is right. Written during the Mexican War, Thoreau states that man should base the rules of the government off what he feels is right rather than follow the laws set by the majority. Living under the impression that a wise minority will always overthrow the majority.
This essay will explain and analyze two essays by individuals who express entirely different opinions of civil disobedience. In his essay, “Civil Disobedience: Destroyer of Democracy”, Lewis H. Van Dusen strongly discourages the use of civil disobedience as a means for change. He feels that this act of disobedience directly contradicts our democratic system. The other individual being compared in this essay is Henry David Thoreau; who in his essay, “Civil Disobedience”, supports the act of peacefully challenging or protesting unjust laws. He impugns us to do what is morally right, and to not be afraid to take a stand against injustice.
“Civil Disobedience” Henry David Thoreau ENG 111 OE- Susan Booth Courtney Wood “Civil Disobedience” by Henry Thoreau discusses the importance of the individual rights while under a powerful and ruling government. He shows criticism toward American Social Institutions and policies, mostly criticizing slavery and the Mexican-American War. In the beginning of his essay, Henry Thoreau states that he believes the government rarely shows itself useful and only obtains its power from majority vote because they are the “strongest” group, not necessarily because their vote is correct. He goes on to say the peoples first obligations are to do what they think may be right and not to follow the ruling of the majority of the people. When governments
Adams relies on juxtaposition and counter argument to develop his argument that a free government is better than a monarchy. John Adams uses juxtaposition to show that a monarchy is worse than a free government. A juxtaposition is a contrasting effect that compares two statements but makes another one stand out more. John Adams writes “...the ministers of state can never know their friends from their enemies; secret cabals undermine their influence, and blast their reputation...the ministers can have no enemies of consequence but among the members of the great or little council, where every man is obliged to take his side, and declare his opinion, upon every question.” (Adams n. pag.).
The Political Compass test is set up like a survey; a person answers questions and then based on the answers given the results of the test will show where the person rates in an economic dimension and a social dimension in regards to the political scheme of things. On the social scale a “Left Authoritarian” means that what the government needs is more important than the individual citizens socially. A “Right Authoritarian” is someone whose views are extreme when it comes to the state economic views they feel the government is more important than the individual a good example of this type of person would be Pinochet who just to protect the free market was going to approve mass killing. If you are classified as a “Left Libertarian” then it means you feel that each individual is more important than the government on a social scale one good example of a left libertarian is Ghandi. A “Right Libertarian” is a person who does not want the government involved not for a social reason but rather because of a fiscal one; such as taxes the government charges a good example of a “right libertarian” is Milton Friedman.
Answer: A dictatorship and democracy are quite different, but they can also be similar. In a dictatorship the common people have no say in the on goings of government or the treatment of the governed. In a democracy the people DO have a say in what goes on, and they vote to make decisions. Both can be good in bad in their own ways. Some say a dictatorship is better because the people don’t know what is and isn’t good for them.
Thoreau believes that the government takes the power out of the people’s hands. He also believes that majority rule overpowers the conscience of man and that it is handled in a very improper manner. This also plays into how he feels about the unjust laws in the government. Thoreau thinks that the unjust laws aren’t fixed because Americans believe they have to have a majority of people who agree that the law is unjust and he thinks that that shouldn’t be the case. Thoreau only has the American people’s interest at heart and want them to become a better and greater people, this is what makes him a patriot.
Examples like “Examination day” supports this because the government stays in power by having strict laws which limit citizens intelligence. The Giver supports the claim because the government limits citizens knowledge by wiping memories and limiting their emotions. “Harrison Bergeron” supports the claim because the government there controls society through strict rules which limit uniqueness so they are “average”. With all this evidence and analysis we will ask this question, do people really want a government that controls society and do the horrible things stated above or should our goal be to help citizens and have a government that doesn’t restrict