Disintegration of Liberty and Democracy in America

Disintegration

of Liberty and Democracy

Chronic_flip

230 years after the United States declared its independence from the British

Government, the republic is still unable to live up to its own professed ideals of liberty

and democracy. Events, episodes as well as developments play an important role, into

shaping America, to what it has become now. Racial inequities which have been present

all throughout American History, mainly the years of slavery, are seen by many, as scars

which have not yet fully healed. American Imperialism, which presented itself during the

Spanish-American and Vietnam War, is a clear example of the neglectful attitude

towards its own ideals. Opposition towards other Governments not abiding with

American polices, particularly, Communist governments is another frequent example

this still occurs today and for the better half of the 20th Century. The use of the media

by the American Government as a means of manipulating Americans, depict the decision

of the American people who elect those who confuse their job with their ambitions.

Finally, "Revelations of political manipulation, cynicism and wrongdoing at the highest

levels" is possibly the greatest self-inflicting wound the United States has ever

encountered. All of these points have contributed to the failure of a Nation, built on a

"Dream" which is suppose to be reflected by the goals of "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit

of happiness."1

Although the 13th Amendment which abolished slavery became law in 1866, the

behaviour of many Americans, North and South, was very antagonistic. Racism; which

can be argued, evolved from slavery, did not entirely diminish after the amendment was

ratified. This hatred towards black Americans was one of the factors for the Civil War.

Segregation which was basically another form of persecuting blacks by isolating their

Ð'â„-Morison, pg 43

activities, was invoked by the Republican Government and caused more problems than

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solving them. Even after two more amendments (14th-Rights of Citizens and 15th Ð'-

Rights of Suffrage), black Americans were still considered as "other persons". During

court trials, this prejudiced views towards blacks, were made very clear as juries refused

to convict a white person due to a black person's testimony. These views were also

shared by the Government, who frequently tried to justify the act of slavery.

"in all social systems there must be class to do the menial

duties, to perform the drudgery of life", [slavery, then]

"constitutes the very mudsill of society and of the

political government"2

The word "race" was often used by those of Anglo-Saxon, Nordic and Teutonic

backgrounds, in order to justify discrimination against other groups. Another proslavery

spokesman by the name of George Fitzhugh described his view on blacks and slavery in a

more jovial perspective-"some are born with saddles on their backs, and others booted

and spurred to ride themÐ'...and the riding does them good."3 This type of persecution

against races other than a "White American" had also taken place during the time of the

"red scare". This term is derived from the belief that social revolution had no boundaries,

as a result those who were deemed as "radical", were persecuted. As the United States

enters the 21st Century the same type of prejudicial views still exists, however towards

people of Islamic background.

Attempts for American Expansion were made clear to the rest of the world during

conflicts such as the Spanish-American and Vietnam War. American ideals stated in the

Ð'ІMorison, pg 359

Ð'Ñ-Morison, pg 733

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Constitution was often contradicted in these situations. Ideals such as the power coming

from the people and working for the people and the process of establishing a

representative government, this did not happen in both of the cases where the American

Government neglected their own values of allowing the people to elect a few persons to

lead their country. In regarding the situation in the Philippines, the American

Government, did not believe that the Filipino people could set up a stable government

and rule themselves.

"[The