Question

The subject is political science

-Analyze how the Declaration of Independence illustrates both ideas associated with Lockean (classical) liberalism and the tradition of popular democracy?

-define " natural rights" and "social content" and explain how both are embodied in the declaration of independence?

Answer 1

Answer.

1. classical liberalism is the belief in economic and civil freedoms of the individual outside the control of the state. This is seen most clearly in the philosophy outlined in Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence. following the British philosopher John Locke, Jefferson argued that people have rights apart from government, as part of their nature and which cannot be controlled by the government. Thus, the Declaration enshrines Fundamental Rights on the citizens as inalienable and compossible which means that they cannot be taken away or denied nor can it be the case that when any one person is exercising his/ her liberty she/ he is not violating other peoples’ right to liberty.

According to Locke, All human beings are by nature equal and they hold natural rights which can often bring them into conflict with each other. In a state of nature, society and law emerged as a way to mutually secure freedom of each individual. The equality of human beings means that all have a right to liberty. governments are established to provide that security. It is from this Lockean idea that we get the famous portion of the Declaration that declares, “all men are created equal,”

Despite drawing heavily from the philosophy of classical liberalism, the Declaration also reflects contemporary democratic principles. For instance, the Declaration summarizes that Whenever any form of Government becomes destructive, it is the Right of the People to change it and to institute new Government for their own safety. Thus, what this highlights is the Declaration’s adherence to contemporary democratic principles where people’s right to choose and elect their own government is given a primordial place. Thus, in doing so the Declaration of American Independence primarily sought not merely to declare independence, but to proclaim to the world the reasons for declaring independence as a legitimate condition of a political system.