OPPapers.com

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
¹Morison, pg 43
activities, was invoked by the...