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I've heard this broadly expressed as America being focused on (abstract) rights, when most of the rest of the Western world focuses on justice (of outcomes). A
by 9nGQluzmnq3M 6y ago
I've heard this broadly expressed as America being focused on (abstract) rights, when most of the rest of the Western world focuses on justice (of outcomes).
A pointed example of this is the criminal justice system, where people in the US have the right to stay silent, talk to a lawyer, etc, but still get screwed sideways with profoundly unjust outcomes due to plea bargaining, mandatory minimums, etc.
- nonford150 6y agoIt's in the nature of the US as such Rights are part of the first governing document (Constitution). The beginning says it all: "We hold these rights to be self-evident". The US was founded on opportunity, not outcomes (we can talk about all the people who were left out of that but it's a discussion for another time).
- AnimalMuppet 6y agoWe hold these truths (not rights) to be self evident." And it's the Declaration of Independence, not the Constitution.
- flyingfences 6y ago"these truths" being that we are endowed with unalienable rights.
- AnimalMuppet 6y agoSure. But that doesn't make the quote correct.