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There is a reason the American project is an ongoing experiment. There must be something in the human nature (hierarchical societal structure?) which leads some
by cema 17y ago
There is a reason the American project is an ongoing experiment. There must be something in the human nature (hierarchical societal structure?) which leads some (many?) people to behaving like hogs. Egalitarianism requires constant work. If you stop, the experiment is over.
(Just one point where the American experiment may break.)
This whole thread is a side note, but I think it is relevant.
- hvs 17y agoAmerica wasn't founded on the concept of egalitarianism, that was an idea of the French revolution. America was founded on the idea of equality before the law (something that we are still working on).
- cema 17y agoEqual rights were (and are) a fundamental idea for the US, egalitarianism less so. However, the anti-aristocratic feelings were strong. Recall, for example, that the titles were easily abolished.
- hvs 17y agoCertainly monarchist ideas were easily eliminated and equal rights were a fundamental idea, but aristocratic thought was not uncommon among the Founding Fathers. The split between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists was often worded in aristocratic language. The people were split pretty evenly between pro, anti, and indifferent to the Revolution.