Pluralism in the United States Our modern concept of pluralism derives from ancient Greek understanding of democracy as the most effective political system. Ancient Greeks did not simply believe in the effectiveness of democracy – they actively practiced it. Citizens were able to affect the political dynamics in cities-states, not because they simply lived there, but because their opinions really did have a value, whatever contradictory they might have been. The reason for this was simple the voting equality of ancient Greeks corresponded to their biological equality. This is why the free exchange of ideas, with which we strongly associate the concept of pluralism, was the essential part of political life in such cities-states. Thus, we can define pluralism as freedom of expression, within a society, which is meant to benefit such society by providing citizens with opportunity to have their voices heard, when it comes to the realization of common good. The political pluralism in America is guaranteed by U.S.
Constitutions First Amendment. In his Federalist Papers, James Madison suggested that providing conditions for the existence of political pluralism in America is the most important precondition for the democracy, in traditional sense of this word. Since the end of War for Independence, Americans were entitled to freely express their opinions, without the fear of prosecution. This is one of the most important reasons why U.S. began to attract immigrants from European countries, while slowly becoming the dominant power in the world. It is very remarkable that the issue of pluralism in contemporary America is not being discussed within the context of politics, as it should, but within the context of making Americans to believe that it is beneficial for our country to have citizens that are concerned about celebrating diversity more than about contributing to the well-being of America. Thus, the original essence of pluralism becomes lost, because majority of people associate it with Hindus being allowed to carry knives in public (as part of maintaining their ethnic identity), for example, than with making provisions for free political debate.
The Term Paper on Influence Of Ancient Greek Times
Influence of Ancient Greek Times All through history the Greeks have influenced our lives in more ways than most people could imagine. To this day we use many ideas and ways of life that the Greeks used thousands of years ago. "Everywhere Greek traders went, they took Greek ideas with them. People throughout the ancient world were influenced by Greek thought and culture." "Their greatness was ...
In her article Challenge of Pluralism, Diana Eck comes up with her own definition of what pluralism stands for: First, I would want to insist that pluralism is not the sheer fact of this plurality alone, but is active engagement with plurality. Pluralism and plurality are sometimes used as if they were synonymous. But plurality is just diversity, plain and simple — splendid, colorful, maybe even threatening. Such diversity does not, however, have to affect me. I can observe diversity. I can even celebrate diversity (Eck, p.
98).
Author does not explain what is the difference between plurality and engagement with plurality. Her semantic equilibristics are meant to conceal the fact that the concept of pluralism ceased to exist in the way it was originally intended to. The traditional definition of pluralism implies the existence of common good. However, multicultural society cannot have common goals, because in such society, it is citizens ethnic affiliation that define their political loyalties and not the sense of logic. It became a Medias cliche to talk of Americans as being united more then ever before. However, this is nothing but a myth and it became apparent to everyone during the hurricane Katrina. Even our biased Medias could not hide the fact that the majority of African-Americans, in the affected areas, were preoccupied with looting. Some of them would rather drown then let go boxes with Mp3 players, they stole from the stores. Every electrical blackout in large American cities results in stores being broken in with the purpose of theft, on the part of people who otherwise are considered law-abiding citizens.
This is another effect of multiculturalism people that are artificially divided along racial or cultural lines cannot engage with plurality, because they sustain bodily injuries, as a result. Nowadays, the concept of pluralism is being strongly linked to Liberalism, as political doctrine. In his book Political Sociology: A Critical Introduction, Keith Faulks suggests that atomization of society automatically results in creating preconditions for political pluralism: Pluralism aims to describe actual power relationships within liberal society (Faulks, p. 44).
The Essay on Analyzing the American Dream in Society
The American Dream is a passion that burns strongly inside those with desire to learn and prosper. Because of the plethora of opportunities we have in America, the American Dream is a reality to many people today. The validity of the American Dream differs from person to person, depending on their dedication and worth ethic. Nevertheless, the American Dream is a reachable goal for everyone, ...
It is true that nowadays, American citizens enjoy the freedom of engaging in sexual perversions and displaying it openly in public. They are also at liberty to cause harm to their health from leading an unhealthy lifestyle. However, when it comes to discussing issues that really do matter, this is when pluralism in America ends.
For example, historians that doubt the validity of Holocaust, the way it is presented to public, do not simply risk the prospects of loosing their job they face time in jail, only because their opinions, in regards to the matter, contradict those that are being forcibly imposed upon society by mainstream Medias. The promoters of Liberal agenda always emphasize the importance of creating a pluralistic atmosphere within a society. However, it never bothers them when citizens constitutional rights are being taken away from them. They view pluralism as such that consists of promoting the idea of White guilt and giving the newly arrived immigrants from Third World countries more privileges then Americans have. However, when it comes to defending the constitutional freedoms of Americans, politically correct experts begin to sing an entirely different song. They deny citizens their rights to own weapons and to enjoy freedom of speech, which are essential for the existence of pluralistic state, in the first place.
We need to understand that the existence of political pluralism is impossible in principle, in country where citizens can be charged with hate speech, every time they raise their voice against American nation loosing its integrity. Therefore, we can only talk about the existence of pluralism in U.S., for as long this term is being used by Liberal politicians, in order to sound sophisticated. In his book The State and American Political Thought, Martin Carnoy makes a perfectly good point when he suggests that the existence on pluralism in America is being perceived by the majority of citizens as something natural. However, his book was written in 1984, before metaphysical insanity began to define the essence of socio-political policies in this country. Today, the term pluralism became just another buzz-word, which does not contain any actual meaning. In fact, now we can think of this word as the euphemism for the word tribalism, because even such events as the election of President in America, are affected by purely irrational considerations, on the part of voters, as participants of political process.
The Essay on Latin American Influences on America
Latin America Latin America affects Florida, the Southwest and California in many ways. Three of the most obvious are food, holidays, and the people. These influences are mainly for the good though some can have negative influence as well. The food found in the Southwest is very similar to that of Latin America. Though some of the foods and restaurants aren't exactly the same or as good, they ...
Bibliography:
Carnoy, M. (1984) The State and Political Theory. Princeton University Press. Faulks, K. (2000) Political Sociology: A Critical Introduction. New York: NYU Press. Eck, D.
(1993) The Challenge of Pluralism. Nieman Reports. Vol. XLVII, No. 2. p. 98..
