Palstro Essay

Ahmed 1
Nabeeha Ahmed
Ambassador School of Global Leadership
Topic I: Republican Democracy in the United States
18 January, 2017
The Basis and Preaching of the United States
The separation of the United States from its motherland, Great Britain, was finalized by
an impactful document: the Declaration of Independence. The salient text, partially scribed by
Thomas Jefferson, listed five ideals: equality, rights, liberty, opportunity, and democracy. Many
of the ideals have been influenced by some of what forms a Republican Democracy, which are
cultural and religious traditions. Upon liberation, the five standards were imprinted as the
foundation of the seminal country. They make the land sound like a utopia where one can
achieve anything. Yet, there are many who refute that claim based on experience and the
evolution of the United States. Ironically, America has assisted other countries with their
democratic principles, despite not being able to fully execute those principles in its own territory.
The United States has not met the democratic values upon which the United States was founded
due to discrimination, yet has a role in the global community to promote democratic values
because of past international involvement.
The formation of the United States’ Republican Democracy and its values have many
contributors. Judaism and Christianity presented the idea that everyone is subjected to God and
are equal under Him. Similarly, all civilians are held responsible for their crimes in the eye of the
law. The Romans introduced the idea of republicanism, a system in which citizens elect a
representative to make laws for the governed. Republicanism remains a crucial part in the U.S.
government and allows the opportunity for the public’s voice to be heard. In “What Modern
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Democracies Didn’t Copy From Ancient Greece”, Nick Romeo describes the involvement of the
Greeks, “Athenian democracy was far more inclusive… All citizens had the right to vote in the
Assembly, which met roughly once every 10 days…”. The Greek’s direct democracy
emphasized popular sovereignty, reinforcing the idea that the government get its power from the
populace. The Greek’s civilian involvement also led to America having the right of trial by jury.
In “Introduction” from Darren Staloff’s Hamilton, Adams, Jefferson: The Politics of
Enlightenment and The American Founding, Staloff wrote, “Where Locke had conjured the
social contract as an implicit, theoretical explanation of the origins of government, men like
Hamilton, Adams, and Jefferson rendered it a reality...”. Strong figures of the Enlightenment like
John Locke enabled America to form its own social contract between the government and its
civilians: the Constitution. Republican Democracy and its values stand as a reflection of
prominent teachings and other forms of government practiced globally.
Various examples of prejudice have allowed for the conclusion that the U.S. has not met
up to the democratic values it has been founded on. Authors Adam Przeworski, Susan C. Stokes,
and Bernard Manin explain in “Election and Representation” of Democracy Accountability, and
Representation, “…Candidates present themselves to voters, informing them about their policy
intentions. Specifically, they tell voters which policies they intend to pursue, for what purposes,
and with which consequences”. The democracy of the United States has failed numerous times to
make their residents more involved and informed. For instance, when the U.S. joined World War
I in 1917, the government did not ask its Americans if they should participate in the war; instead,
President Woodrow Wilson tried justifying his decision through speeches and recruitment
posters. Additionally, the progressive era in the late 1900s demonstrates the lack of rights given
to women, immigrants, and children working in dangerous conditions where their safety was not
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guaranteed on top of receiving inadequate wages. Many students have not been given the
opportunity to attend the college of their choice due to financial struggles, whereas some
wealthier citizens are able to pursue the same goal simply because they can afford it. More
recently, plentiful Muslims have been victims of hate crimes, told to take off their hijabs, and to
go back to where they came from if they wanted to practice their religion, despite being U.S.
citizens. Failure in upholding the founding ideals prevents the American forefront from
achieving the American Dream.
Although the democratic values of the U.S. Republican Democracy are not carried out
effectively, the nation has encouraged them worldwide. America’s involvement in both World
War I and World War II, while also providing for Berlin, has showcased the country’s effort in
trying to contribute equality, liberty, and opportunity internationally. When lands were being
taken over by massive powers like Germany, the United States tried to stop them and keep those
areas separate. Saving nations from being taken over gives them the chance to be represented as
equal counterparts to other territories. The U.S. tried to save Berlin from the Soviet Union’s
oppression and supply them with freedom, so the weakening city would not be enslaved by the
Russian region. Most importantly, the U.S. strived in assisting those who were struggling for the
chance to survive. The opportunity to survive would allow those nations to live according to their
own terms and beliefs, keeping their spirit alive. The U.S. fought to give others what it believes
in: independence in the form of unapologetic individualism and freedom.
The United States remains a vast nation that is the result of having a strong foundation.
Its Republican Democracy is the product of Judeo-Christian values and Greek/Roman tradition.
America has its own tenets that it may not uphold as well as it should. Many Americans have not
had their rights satisfied nor guaranteed. Inequity and lack of true freedom remains amongst the
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citizen as religious tolerance is not at a high. The government does not live up to its belief in
giving extreme power to its civilians as it is not very inclusive of them. Not everyone in
American society has the same opportunities to pursue their dreams because of their status. Yet,
the U.S. has advocated for the implementation of its democratic principles around the world
several times. Despite its flaws, this nation’s government and its values enable the country to
stand tall as a strong figure that is a leader, not a follower.

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Works Cited
Montes, Mayra. “Roots of Democratic Government.” Lecture on 8 December 2016. PowerPoint
presentation.
Przeworski, Adam, Susan C. Stokes, Bernard Manin, Democracy Accountability, and
Representation, Ch. 1 “Election and Representation,” (pp.29-54) PDF 1-15.
Romeo, Nick. “What Modern Democracies Didn’t Copy From Ancient Greece,” National
Geographic, 4 November, 2016. PDF 1-4.
Staloff, Darren. Hamilton, Adams, Jefferson: The Politics of Enlightenment and The American
Founding, “Introduction,” (pp. 3-43) PDF 1-22.

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Ahmed 1

Ambassador School of Global Leadership

Topic I: Republican Democracy in the United States

The Basis and Preaching of the United States

because of past international involvement.

In “Introduction” from Darren Staloff’s Hamilton, Adams, Jefferson: The Politics of

prominent teachings and other forms of government practiced globally.

achieving the American Dream.

in: independence in the form of unapologetic individualism and freedom.

stand tall as a strong figure that is a leader, not a follower.

Montes, Mayra. “Roots of Democratic Government.” Lecture on 8 December 2016. PowerPoint

Przeworski, Adam, Susan C. Stokes, Bernard Manin, Democracy Accountability, and

Representation, Ch. 1 “Election and Representation,” (pp.29-54) PDF 1-15.

Geographic, 4 November, 2016. PDF 1-4.

Founding, “Introduction,” (pp. 3-43) PDF 1-22.

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