English140 Blog

  Blog 5: 1. How might Aristotle have responded to the painting by Howard Chandler Christy of the signing of the Constitution of the United States (p. 57)? Aristotle would have responded positively towards the painting by Howard Chandler Christy signing the Constitution of the United States. He believed in a government with organization, leadership, laws, and institutions. One where the government allowed the people to have a say in what was being done. 2. How many different "elements" of society are represented in this painting? In the painting it is clear that there are many different elements. There is common folk, then there is the President, Senators, Congressman and the cabinet. Those are the people who presented the painting and signed the Constitution.  3. Would Aristotle have assumed that the government being formed was a democracy or an oligarchy? Why or Why not? Aristotle considers a combination of oligarchy and democracy under law the ideal form of government,...

       In my opinion, Henry David Thoreau and Martin Luther King Jr are very similar. On page 252, it states that Martin Luther also went to jail for not obeying the unjust laws and that he would gladly do it again for the sake of the black lives movement. The government restricted King's individual rights because of what he did. Even though Martin Luther King Jr. and Henry David Thoreau did not believe in violence, violence was still the main issue within the government, even today. I do think King had read Thoreaus ‘Civil Disobedience’ as an important document. Although on different topics, they had very similar views about nonviolence and the power of individuality. King was more focused on a certain part of the country, in Alabama, he still managed to get his message out to the whole country. Thoreau was speaking out about the whole American government, and that's where they have their slight differences. 

Thoreau doesnt think the government is treating the people badly, he just thinks his people don't need to listen to everything the government forces upon them. Thoreau stated “That government is best which governs not at all”. To me that proves that he didn't like how the government treated them and thinks the people do better when not governed at all.  Thoreau describes the government as “a tradition, endeav oring to transmit itself unimpaired to posterity but each instant losing some of its integrity”. To me it sounds like the American government is forcing the people to follow their rules, yet nobody trusts, or agrees with them. I think people having the right to speech, our natural rights, and the ability to protest peacefully are all the same aspects as Thoreau .  Thoreau refused to pay a poll tax to vote because he opposed the Mexican –American War , and so he spent time in jail and I think that is the reason as to why Thoreau reacted the way he did. The war was fought ...

  Blog 2 They Say I Say They say: The only form of government Rousseau would believe in or tolerate is Direct Democracy. He believed that it would give his people the freedom and their own expression, yet with the main rules that laws that everyone must follow. Rousseau believed in everyone having their birth rights and the power of everyone being born free and equal. If a ruler provides that for his people, then Rousseau would support them and be pleased by them. I definitely think a government that Rousseau believes in could exist, however I think a lot of people now don't want to change the way our government is today.  I say: I think Rousseau has a really good form of government and will help a lot of people do their own thing, however, i do think it could be a little too relaxed. Yes, they do have a set of rules or laws that are mandatory, but it wouldn't be for everyone and not all people would follow those rules.  They say: The Declaration of Independence imp...