RP2-Western Civ 2-Brande Ragsdale
Once again, I am humbled and forced to ponder the parallels between modern times and the past.
Learning that liberalism is a concept that has been around for over three hundred years was surprising to me. I have spent quite a bit of time this week pondering the definition of liberalism which is defined in the text as “individual liberties guaranteed by constitutional law; the sanctity of private property; unrestricted movement of individuals, ideas, and goods; and, finally, social advancement based on merit.” (Brophy, Cole, Robertson, Safley, Symes, 337) The text also states “The principles of the
Enlightenment and liberalism largely overlap. Liberalism, for example, inherited the Enlightenment’s …show more content…
emphasis on reason, social utility, pragmatic reform, and aversion to arbitrary rule.” (337) when so plainly defined and described, I have to question, why is the concept of liberalism considered a bad thing by a majority of the middle class? I think, in most cases, that it is because someone “told them so” not due to any true research or reasoning. Considering liberalism basically began as a middle class movement and has also for the most part stayed that way, it seems as if a liberally run government, would quite benefit the majority of the Western world. Social advancement based on merit was again mentioned in the text and I can appreciate learning of the evolution of said advances. (337) The evidence of the intoxication of power and the fact that such an addiction is timeless is also illustrated in the fact that the majority of the elite have always(and still do today) tried to discourage and prevent the spread of liberalistic ideals, even though it is obvious that liberal ideals most benefit the greater good. (338) I would like to elaborate upon being humbled; I am humbled once again because while I am considered and have considered myself a liberal for quite some time, I never really knew exactly what it meant. In my life, I have been called many slang words pertaining to a liberal stance, some of which are: “bleeding-heart”, “tree-hugger”, and my favorite-“greenie”. I don’t think I fully understood the implications of and the history behind, liberalism until this class and I am even more determined to continue to progress towards a “free” world for all, I will wear those stereotypes proudly! It has also been this class that has taught me the meaning of liberty. When I was a child, we said the Pledge of Allegiance daily, and I still never quite understood the meaning of liberty. I can understand how the wealthiest 2%, then and now, are threatened by the liberalist view of separation of economy and state. I don’t know if I completely understand this, so I don’t want to be ignorant, but this also seems like a positive goal. I greatly disagree with our present government’s expenditures into the trillions, and I am sure that many government official’s pockets have become padded by state contracts and the like, then and now, probably always(which takes us back to that unquenchable thirst and addiction to power.) It is during this time that we see the first cries for
Once again, I am humbled and forced to ponder the parallels between modern times and the past.
Learning that liberalism is a concept that has been around for over three hundred years was surprising to me. I have spent quite a bit of time this week pondering the definition of liberalism which is defined in the text as “individual liberties guaranteed by constitutional law; the sanctity of private property; unrestricted movement of individuals, ideas, and goods; and, finally, social advancement based on merit.” (Brophy, Cole, Robertson, Safley, Symes, 337) The text also states “The principles of the
Enlightenment and liberalism largely overlap. Liberalism, for example, inherited the Enlightenment’s …show more content…
emphasis on reason, social utility, pragmatic reform, and aversion to arbitrary rule.” (337) when so plainly defined and described, I have to question, why is the concept of liberalism considered a bad thing by a majority of the middle class? I think, in most cases, that it is because someone “told them so” not due to any true research or reasoning. Considering liberalism basically began as a middle class movement and has also for the most part stayed that way, it seems as if a liberally run government, would quite benefit the majority of the Western world. Social advancement based on merit was again mentioned in the text and I can appreciate learning of the evolution of said advances. (337) The evidence of the intoxication of power and the fact that such an addiction is timeless is also illustrated in the fact that the majority of the elite have always(and still do today) tried to discourage and prevent the spread of liberalistic ideals, even though it is obvious that liberal ideals most benefit the greater good. (338) I would like to elaborate upon being humbled; I am humbled once again because while I am considered and have considered myself a liberal for quite some time, I never really knew exactly what it meant. In my life, I have been called many slang words pertaining to a liberal stance, some of which are: “bleeding-heart”, “tree-hugger”, and my favorite-“greenie”. I don’t think I fully understood the implications of and the history behind, liberalism until this class and I am even more determined to continue to progress towards a “free” world for all, I will wear those stereotypes proudly! It has also been this class that has taught me the meaning of liberty. When I was a child, we said the Pledge of Allegiance daily, and I still never quite understood the meaning of liberty. I can understand how the wealthiest 2%, then and now, are threatened by the liberalist view of separation of economy and state. I don’t know if I completely understand this, so I don’t want to be ignorant, but this also seems like a positive goal. I greatly disagree with our present government’s expenditures into the trillions, and I am sure that many government official’s pockets have become padded by state contracts and the like, then and now, probably always(which takes us back to that unquenchable thirst and addiction to power.) It is during this time that we see the first cries for