American Democracy Posted By : Gabriel
31.10.2006 19:05 Political Articles
Abraham Lincoln, one of the best-loved and most respected of America’s presidents, said that the United States had a government “of the people, by the people, and for the people.” No one has formulated a better way the ideals of the American political system as Americans understand it. The Constitution, laws and traditions of the United States give the people the right to determine who will be the leader of their nation, who will make the laws and what the laws will be. The people have the power to change the system. The Constitution guarantees individual freedom to all.
The emphasis on freedom, rights and equality has created in citizens of the United States strong feelings of independence, self-worth, as well as a belief that people should be able to do what they want without interference so long as they don’t interfere with the rights of others. These feelings and beliefs have brought about many social and political changes in the United States.
One example: In the early 1800s, President Thomas Jefferson began shaking hands with people he met, no matter who they were. He did this because he believed the old European custom of bowing was undemocratic. Americans have been shaking hands as a way of greeting ever since.
There have been many highly important changes brought about in citizens’ lives because of Americans’ demand for a better life. For example, in the 1930s, Congress passed laws that increased pay, decreased working hours and improved working conditions for workers in factories, in mines and on railroads.
For most Americans, for most of the time, life is peaceful. They do their jobs and enjoy their homes and families. They keep up with news of that the president or Congress is doing. Some may at times write letters to congressman or to newspapers expressing their views. They might discuss taxes or government activities with friends and family. Unless something unusual is taking place, however, they do no more than that. They quietly let their democratic system work while they enjoy their freedom.
Bill Of Rights
To most Americans, the real foundation of their democracy is the Bill of Rights, adopted in 1791. This consists of ten very short paragraphs which guarantee freedom and individual rights and forbid interference with the lives of individuals by the government. Each paragraph is an amendment to the original Constitution.
In the Bill of Rights, Americans are guaranteed freedom of religion, of speech and of the press. They have the right to assemble in public places, to protest government actions and to demand change. They have the right to own weapons if they wish. Because of the Bill of Rights, neither police nor soldiers can stop and search a person without good reason. They also cannot search a person’s home without legal permission from a court to do so.
The Bill of Rights guarantees the right to a speedy trial if accused of a crime. The trial must be able to call in witnesses to speak for him or her. Cruel and unusual punishment is forbidden.
There were 16 other amendments to the Constitution as of 1985. That is not many changes considering that the Constitution was written in 1787. Only a few need to be mentioned here. One forbids slavery and three others guarantee full rights of citizenship to all people regardless of race. Another gives women the right to vote and another lowered the national voting age to 18 years.
The emphasis on freedom, rights and equality has created in citizens of the United States strong feelings of independence, self-worth, as well as a belief that people should be able to do what they want without interference so long as they don’t interfere with the rights of others. These feelings and beliefs have brought about many social and political changes in the United States.
One example: In the early 1800s, President Thomas Jefferson began shaking hands with people he met, no matter who they were. He did this because he believed the old European custom of bowing was undemocratic. Americans have been shaking hands as a way of greeting ever since.
There have been many highly important changes brought about in citizens’ lives because of Americans’ demand for a better life. For example, in the 1930s, Congress passed laws that increased pay, decreased working hours and improved working conditions for workers in factories, in mines and on railroads.
For most Americans, for most of the time, life is peaceful. They do their jobs and enjoy their homes and families. They keep up with news of that the president or Congress is doing. Some may at times write letters to congressman or to newspapers expressing their views. They might discuss taxes or government activities with friends and family. Unless something unusual is taking place, however, they do no more than that. They quietly let their democratic system work while they enjoy their freedom.
Bill Of Rights
To most Americans, the real foundation of their democracy is the Bill of Rights, adopted in 1791. This consists of ten very short paragraphs which guarantee freedom and individual rights and forbid interference with the lives of individuals by the government. Each paragraph is an amendment to the original Constitution.
In the Bill of Rights, Americans are guaranteed freedom of religion, of speech and of the press. They have the right to assemble in public places, to protest government actions and to demand change. They have the right to own weapons if they wish. Because of the Bill of Rights, neither police nor soldiers can stop and search a person without good reason. They also cannot search a person’s home without legal permission from a court to do so.
The Bill of Rights guarantees the right to a speedy trial if accused of a crime. The trial must be able to call in witnesses to speak for him or her. Cruel and unusual punishment is forbidden.
There were 16 other amendments to the Constitution as of 1985. That is not many changes considering that the Constitution was written in 1787. Only a few need to be mentioned here. One forbids slavery and three others guarantee full rights of citizenship to all people regardless of race. Another gives women the right to vote and another lowered the national voting age to 18 years.
By: Gabriel
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