The rule of law is a quintessential element of the American democratic system. A society successfully functions only so long as the laws are generally unbroken. In order to maintain the legitimacy of the laws—and thereby the stability of a democratic society—the citizenry must adhere to the laws. Resistance to laws, peaceful or otherwise, negatively impacts a free society by disorganizing the backbone of democratic civilization: order.
Appropriate dissent to existing law is exercised at the polls. In a majoritarian democracy, the laws duly passed by our elected officials must be followed. At the same time, however, a minority may exercise the ability to affect the law by flexing their voting ability during democratic elections. If a society is unhappy with the existing laws, dissent may be expressed through …show more content…
Indeed, as Abraham Lincoln noted: "Let every American, every lover of liberty, every well-wisher to his posterity swear by the blood of the Revolution never to violate in the least particular the laws of the country…. Let every man remember that to violate the law is to trample on the blood of his father, and to tear the charter of his own and his children’s liberty…” Consistent with our Founding Fathers’ vision of American democracy, Lincoln advocated for constitutional preservation and the upkeep of a lawful society. He recognized that it is preposterous to violate the laws on which this country was established. The laws of the United States of America, once passed by the legislature, are firm and non-negotiable. Pursuant to the rule of law, “[t]here can be no law to which obedience is optional, no command to which the state attaches an ‘if you please.’" The laws of this country are established with careful consideration and motives of improving the country as a whole, but will not be valid without subsistence of its
Appropriate dissent to existing law is exercised at the polls. In a majoritarian democracy, the laws duly passed by our elected officials must be followed. At the same time, however, a minority may exercise the ability to affect the law by flexing their voting ability during democratic elections. If a society is unhappy with the existing laws, dissent may be expressed through …show more content…
Indeed, as Abraham Lincoln noted: "Let every American, every lover of liberty, every well-wisher to his posterity swear by the blood of the Revolution never to violate in the least particular the laws of the country…. Let every man remember that to violate the law is to trample on the blood of his father, and to tear the charter of his own and his children’s liberty…” Consistent with our Founding Fathers’ vision of American democracy, Lincoln advocated for constitutional preservation and the upkeep of a lawful society. He recognized that it is preposterous to violate the laws on which this country was established. The laws of the United States of America, once passed by the legislature, are firm and non-negotiable. Pursuant to the rule of law, “[t]here can be no law to which obedience is optional, no command to which the state attaches an ‘if you please.’" The laws of this country are established with careful consideration and motives of improving the country as a whole, but will not be valid without subsistence of its