LAD #4: Federalist #10
1. Why are factions so difficult to eliminate? James Madison, in summary, describes faction as a group that pursues self interest at the expense of the common good. He states how "faction is to liberty as air is to fire," therefore, eliminating factions is eliminating liberty and therefore is impossible to have in a nation founded on liberty. These factions are so difficult to eliminate, however, because different Americans have various ideas and beliefs. People view religion, government, etc. on so many levels.
2. If factions cannot be removed then how can they be controlled? If factional strife becomes intensive and public, the broader organization may suffer from perceptions of disunity. Taken one step further, if the conflict is particularly severe, it may cause ruptures within the organization that seriously impede its effectiveness, leading to collapse of the broader organization. Madison proceeds to examine how to better control the negative effects of faction. As a democracy, America has decided that there is no cure for faction. A republic, however, opens new prospect for a "cure" that the nation seeks. It will equalize each individual, and no longer will opinions, passions, and possessions be different and unique.
At the end, Madison states, "In the extent and proper structure of the Union, therefore, we behold a republican remedy for the diseases most incident to republican government. And according to the degree of pleasure and pride we feel in being republicans, ought to be our zeal in cherishing the spirit and supporting the character of Federalists."
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Sunday, September 17, 2006
LAD #3: Declaration of Independence
When summarizing the United States Declaration of Independence, one statement overshadows all the rest: “...all men are created equal...”. The idea that would seem so simple to have from the beginning, was a constant struggle for the United States. Those five minute words are the basis to our country today, leaving this declaration to be one of the greatest documents in history. Lilfe, liberty and pursuit of happiness are still applicable to today’s living, making it hold true to history as a whole, as well as the future for the nation. This document gives the people the power, stating how the government has a responsibility to maintain these rights among the citizens, and if, for any reason, the government fails to derive its power from the people, we have the responsibility to abolish that government. This pure document, however simple it may seem, grants power to the United States as “free and independent states,” with the power to levy war, conclude peace, establish commerce, and scores more acts that free states have the right to do. The Declaration of Independence is a blunt document, leaving no room for multiple interpretations, making sure that it can not be danced around. The people are granted full power of the nation, with obvious governing bodies to keep order. And one phrase that will continue to ring in the ears of the people of the United States of America is “all men are created equal.”
When summarizing the United States Declaration of Independence, one statement overshadows all the rest: “...all men are created equal...”. The idea that would seem so simple to have from the beginning, was a constant struggle for the United States. Those five minute words are the basis to our country today, leaving this declaration to be one of the greatest documents in history. Lilfe, liberty and pursuit of happiness are still applicable to today’s living, making it hold true to history as a whole, as well as the future for the nation. This document gives the people the power, stating how the government has a responsibility to maintain these rights among the citizens, and if, for any reason, the government fails to derive its power from the people, we have the responsibility to abolish that government. This pure document, however simple it may seem, grants power to the United States as “free and independent states,” with the power to levy war, conclude peace, establish commerce, and scores more acts that free states have the right to do. The Declaration of Independence is a blunt document, leaving no room for multiple interpretations, making sure that it can not be danced around. The people are granted full power of the nation, with obvious governing bodies to keep order. And one phrase that will continue to ring in the ears of the people of the United States of America is “all men are created equal.”
Sunday, September 10, 2006
LAD #2: Zenger Questions
1. Who was John Peter Zenger? Zenger was the printer for the New York Weekly Journal, a newspaper in NYC. He began exposing corrupt practices of the British colonial government, and in Zenger's time, criticism of the British government was treason, a serious crime. His trial was extremely liberal.
2. What was the controversy over his charges? Talk about Hamilton's defense. In 1735, Zenger was charged with seditious libel. He was defended by Philadelphia lawyer, Andrew Hamilton. The prosecutors stated that the publication enough in the newspaper was enough to convict and he excluded the truth from the evidence stated. Hamilton gave up the information that Zenger did indeed write and publish the stories about the British, however, it he denied it was libel unless it was false. Zenger was found not guilty after a convincing defensive argument by Hamilton.
3. What influence did his case have on American governmental tradition? Zenger, was found not guilty in this landmark case which established certainty as a defense against slander and was a victory for freedom of the press. It also set a precedent against judicial tyranny in libel suits.
4. What is the lasting significance of his trial? Explain. Founded in 1982, Zenger News Service began distributing news and information in the United States. In early 1998, ZNS expanded its distribution to include customers in 35 foreign countries. Zenger News Service hopes to help this generation of Americans better appreciate John Peter Zenger's significant contribution to our personal freedom and national prosperity. Our press freedom helps us learn about and retain all of our other freedoms, and America's world-famous freedom of the press today is greatly a result of the heroism shown by John Peter Zenger in 1735.
1. Who was John Peter Zenger? Zenger was the printer for the New York Weekly Journal, a newspaper in NYC. He began exposing corrupt practices of the British colonial government, and in Zenger's time, criticism of the British government was treason, a serious crime. His trial was extremely liberal.
2. What was the controversy over his charges? Talk about Hamilton's defense. In 1735, Zenger was charged with seditious libel. He was defended by Philadelphia lawyer, Andrew Hamilton. The prosecutors stated that the publication enough in the newspaper was enough to convict and he excluded the truth from the evidence stated. Hamilton gave up the information that Zenger did indeed write and publish the stories about the British, however, it he denied it was libel unless it was false. Zenger was found not guilty after a convincing defensive argument by Hamilton.
3. What influence did his case have on American governmental tradition? Zenger, was found not guilty in this landmark case which established certainty as a defense against slander and was a victory for freedom of the press. It also set a precedent against judicial tyranny in libel suits.
4. What is the lasting significance of his trial? Explain. Founded in 1982, Zenger News Service began distributing news and information in the United States. In early 1998, ZNS expanded its distribution to include customers in 35 foreign countries. Zenger News Service hopes to help this generation of Americans better appreciate John Peter Zenger's significant contribution to our personal freedom and national prosperity. Our press freedom helps us learn about and retain all of our other freedoms, and America's world-famous freedom of the press today is greatly a result of the heroism shown by John Peter Zenger in 1735.
LAD #1: The Mayflower Compact” and “The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
1. What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact? The Mayflower Compact was the first governing document of the Plymouth Colony. The Mayflower Compact was signed to establish a civil government and to proclaim the settlers' loyalty and honor to the king. Within the text, the settlers’ state that they are set to achieving a civil body and the preservation of equal laws and constitutions.
2. How does the Mayflower Compact reflect and attachment to both the "Old" and "New" worlds? When returning back from the Mayflower, the pilgrims realized that their land was outside the territory of the London Company. The document was drafted upon the Mayflower, as the pilgrims were crossing the Atlantic, and it was signed in 1620. Earlier settlements failed in the New World due to the lack of central leadership; Mayflower Compact was a social contract in which the settlers agreed to abide by the rules of the government, which would thus have power with the consent of the governed.
3. How did the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut differ from the Mayflower Compact? The Fundamental Orders have an intricate list of rights in which all free men believed they were to be granted. It provides that all free men share in electing their magistrates, and uses secret, paper ballots. It states the powers of the government, and some limits within which that power is exercised. The document was used as a serious, governing document that Connecticut still has sections of in their Declaration of Rights, which was adopted in 1965. The Mayflower Compact was still a governing document, however, it lacked the specific rights and laws within it; it simply stated the need for a civil government and their loyalty to the English crown. No where in the text do they name certain laws or rights.
4. What prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take this approach to government, i.e.: use of a written Constitution? In 1637, the towns of Hartford, Wethersfield, and Windsor had started a commonwealth in order to fight the Pequot War. In 1638, Reverend Thomas Hookerchallenged the General Court to fix the principles of that government. It was his view that "the foundation of authority is laid in the free consent of the people". In 1639, the Connecticut River Colony drafted the document.
5. In what significant way(s) does the Fundamental Orders reflect a fear of and safeguard against the usurping of power by one person or a chosen few? Along with the Governor, there will be six magistrates besides him, who also have power to administer justice. They feel the need to have a group of men behind the Governor to avoid pitfalls, such as a possible dictatorship, and they believe it is important for the people to have a say in the documents which govern their lives.
1. What concepts are included in the Mayflower Compact? The Mayflower Compact was the first governing document of the Plymouth Colony. The Mayflower Compact was signed to establish a civil government and to proclaim the settlers' loyalty and honor to the king. Within the text, the settlers’ state that they are set to achieving a civil body and the preservation of equal laws and constitutions.
2. How does the Mayflower Compact reflect and attachment to both the "Old" and "New" worlds? When returning back from the Mayflower, the pilgrims realized that their land was outside the territory of the London Company. The document was drafted upon the Mayflower, as the pilgrims were crossing the Atlantic, and it was signed in 1620. Earlier settlements failed in the New World due to the lack of central leadership; Mayflower Compact was a social contract in which the settlers agreed to abide by the rules of the government, which would thus have power with the consent of the governed.
3. How did the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut differ from the Mayflower Compact? The Fundamental Orders have an intricate list of rights in which all free men believed they were to be granted. It provides that all free men share in electing their magistrates, and uses secret, paper ballots. It states the powers of the government, and some limits within which that power is exercised. The document was used as a serious, governing document that Connecticut still has sections of in their Declaration of Rights, which was adopted in 1965. The Mayflower Compact was still a governing document, however, it lacked the specific rights and laws within it; it simply stated the need for a civil government and their loyalty to the English crown. No where in the text do they name certain laws or rights.
4. What prompted the colonists of Connecticut to take this approach to government, i.e.: use of a written Constitution? In 1637, the towns of Hartford, Wethersfield, and Windsor had started a commonwealth in order to fight the Pequot War. In 1638, Reverend Thomas Hookerchallenged the General Court to fix the principles of that government. It was his view that "the foundation of authority is laid in the free consent of the people". In 1639, the Connecticut River Colony drafted the document.
5. In what significant way(s) does the Fundamental Orders reflect a fear of and safeguard against the usurping of power by one person or a chosen few? Along with the Governor, there will be six magistrates besides him, who also have power to administer justice. They feel the need to have a group of men behind the Governor to avoid pitfalls, such as a possible dictatorship, and they believe it is important for the people to have a say in the documents which govern their lives.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)