This week we wrap up the principles of politics and start looking at actual cases, in particular, the American Revolution. Before we do that, we have one day of Tocqueville, and an introduction to the alternative to the rational actor model, bounded rationality, or, as Lindbloom calls it in his famous article, "the science of muddling through."
Both of these authors are great to read and I hope they both, in particular Tocqueville, become life-long friends.
7 comments:
First, in my opinion, obviously one could agree with Tocqueville that the backbone for our government comes directly from our English and Puritan ancestor’s in their religion, society, and the former government. But, our ancestors used ideas from other governments, not just the ones of their own country. As well, Tocqueville comments that no one can really disengage from their past, but I do not think that the founders of our country were attempting to make a completely new government. They were trying to build upon the English government and fix the mistakes they believed the English government had.
Also, I somewhat disagree with Tocqueville’s stance on the American bail system. Tocqueville said that it favored the wealthy and the poor were not given the same opportunities. In our society, the rich have it easier with regard to any aspect of American society. This English idea on bail the Americans have adopted does not conflict with the American ideals mainly because we are a capitalistic society who believe in the survival of the strongest and wealthiest. In the eyes of the law, both the poor and the rich can be arrested. For example, Martha Stewart, one of the wealthiest people in the world went to jail and was unable to escape the law. So, I would disagree with the authors assessment of the bail system and how it contradicts our American ideals.
Reinhard 3
In today’s reading, the beginning, the foundation, the founding of our country, and many problems along the way are broken down and dissected from every angle. One interesting fact in the text, described how as a young country different issues divided our country in many ways. For example, in the debate over representation, the small states sides with each other against the large states in arguing that they should have equal representation regardless of the population. The large states, of course, argued that because they were much larger it gave them the right to have more voice in governmental and political decisions when dealing with issues as a country. They favored what we know of today as, “Virginia Plan.” The plan provided for a system of representation in the national legislature based on the population of each state or the proportion of each state’s revenue contribution, or both. But because the states varied enormously in size and wealth, the Virginia Plan was thought to be heavily biased in favor of the large states, which the small states were sure to point out.
Another example of issues dividing our young country was the issue of slavery. The northern states sides with each other against the southern states in arguing that slaves should not be counted as population. They argued this because it gave southern states more electoral power due to a larger population. The northern states wanted to rid the country of slavery, but the south could not afford it. Slavery was too heavily depended on for farming, which in turn got the south their income and property. Without slaves they could not take care of the amount of farmland that they normally could with the slaves. Agriculture was a money maker for the south, which had few other means for making and sustaining a healthy economy.
The reading also discusses the founding of our country. The Declaration of Independence, created in 1776 by Thomas Jefferson was gave us our freedom of unalienable rights. The declaration gave us life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, three things for the American people that could not be abridged by governments. In November 1777, the Articles of Confederation was adopted and put into action. After about a decade of the articles being alive, many weaknesses were exposed, hence revision was called for. The point is, problems inside our country have always existed, but through it all we have always come to a solution that betters the United States as a whole.
Nick Dubuisson
I would like to agree Mr. Dubuisson on his comment. Conflict has always existed in the United States and it is in that struggle that makes the country stronger. In addition however, it took many years and repetition of the same arguments that made the country what it is today.
For example, the Americans were fighting the british over "no taxation without representation", when in the beginning representation was the last thing they were worried about. However the subject did arise and it became evident later in history. Representation became one of the biggest battles that in my opinion we as a country had to face. One of the biggest images that stick out in my mind is when the large states are arguing with the small states over who is goin to have the most say so in the government. Another future arguement between the northern and southern states is over slavery in the upcoming civil war.
Like Dr. Reinhard said today in class, "in life there is always an us versus them mentality." Without meaning to we seperate ourselves into groups. This occurs during election time and most recently the war in Iraq. The war in Iraq is a prime example, it is us (Americans) versus them (Iraqis). Back then though it was the United states that was divided between northern and southern states or large and small states. The only time that the country or its people have come together is when it has a common interest, enemy, or belief. Its like a sports team the only time you ever see them together is on the field during a game or at practice when they have a common goal. other than that they are not seen together. This is how ibelieve the country acts back in that time and even today.
I would like to agree Mr. Dubuisson on his comment. Conflict has always existed in the United States and it is in that struggle that makes the country stronger. In addition however, it took many years and repetition of the same arguments that made the country what it is today.
For example, the Americans were fighting the British over "no taxation without representation", when in the beginning representation was the last thing they were worried about. However the subject did arise and it became evident later in history. Representation became one of the biggest battles that in my opinion we as a country had to face. One of the biggest images that stick out in my mind is when the large states are arguing with the small states over who is going to have the most say so in the government. Another future argument between the northern and southern states is over slavery in the upcoming civil war.
Like Dr. Reinhard said today in class, "in life there is always an us versus them mentality." Without meaning to we separate ourselves into groups. This occurs during election time and most recently the war in Iraq. The war in Iraq is a prime example; it is us (Americans) versus them (Iraqis). Back then though it was the United States that was divided between northern and southern states or large and small states. The only time that the country or its people have come together is when it has a common interest, enemy, or belief. It’s like a sports team the only time you ever see them together is on the field during a game or at practice when they have a common goal. Other than that they are not seen together. This is how I believe the country acts back in that time and even today.
The Declaration of Independence has alwasy fascinated me since I first learned about it in grade school. I find it to be the most amazing and extraordinary document ever written. It's amazing how a single document, despite the differences of interst in economical and philosophical terms that divided the colonist, could unify the colonist and concentrate on the grievances, aspirations, and principles that they faced. How could one document cover so much i don't know. How did Thomas Jefferson know to write some of the things that he did? Like how did he know to write about the part about certain rights which he called unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness which could not be abridged by governments? It's amazing to me that he thought about the pursuit of happiness part. The pursuit of happiness, it always makes me think about what I want to do for a living. I do agree with this phrase, I do believe everyone has the right to do what makes then happy. My favorite line in the Declaration is the part that says that all men are created equal. I think that this is one of the most powerful phrases ever written, as powerful today as the day it was wriiten. That every man has the same equal opportuniy as the next. I feel this line alone could have unified various disagreeing colonial groups.
In our readings on Wednesday, I found it very interesting on how the founding of our country first started. How in the begging they were fighting for their own rights and to be able to make decisions on their own, and end up fighting between their selves once they got their freedom. They all were fighting for the same purpose in the begging, but once that purpose was defeated it seem as though, some states wanted things to go their way. For example, the proponents for a new government made many altercations between the states. The “Virginia Plan”, seem to be a plan that was heavily in favor of the large states. This plan provided a representation based on population, and in regards to that the members of the first branch would also pick the second branch. Because of these acts, it did the smaller states no justice. The states should be equally represented regardless of its population. From many debates it later brought about the Great Compromise. This gave each state an equal number of senators regardless of its population, and it also allowed the smaller states to have an equal vote about the second branch the senate regardless of its population. Even though this altercation was resolved it still lead to a even greater problem. The question of slavery came into role. The smaller states attempted to use the slaves for even more votes since they were so small. This seems unfair though, since that the slaves had no freedom and couldn’t do as the please. The argument of slavery between the states, would later bring forth a greater war.
Like my friend David, I have also been fascinated by the Declaration of Independence for quite some time. I believe that I was first introduced to this document at young age. It amazed me how one man could be responsible for such an important document that would eventually change the lives of so many people. Like the book says, during that time there were still kings that claimed to rule by divine right, but the document changed all of that. The book also tells us that Declaration was remarkable politically. This was said because despite the the differences of interest that divided the colonists, it identified and focused on problems, grievances, aspirations, and principles that might unify the various colonial groups, and I support this belief. This document also interested me because of the famous line," all men are created equal." This line has driven me to do so many things in my life that I believe that it is one of the best things ever written. These are some of the reasons that the Declaration of Independence interested me.
Post a Comment