Ideals Used In The Declaration Of Independence

Many ideas from the Enlightenment are mentioned in the Declaration of Independence. Equality, natural rights, and governmental thought are just a few of the Enlightenment concepts introduced in the Declaration. I do believe that the ideals were operative at the time the Declaration of Independence was written. Using an example, “natural rights,” which is vital to both the Declaration and what it embodies, the Enlightenment. At the time of the Enlightenment, natural rights were made to challenge the rights of Kings and ultimately became the justification for a social contract, government, and law. The Declaration of Independence states that natural rights are the truth and self-evident. Natural rights refer to “life, liberty, and the pursuit
Are these ideals true today? Starting with the natural right! Although the concept of natural rights isn’t typically used today, it remains true. It has since then remained a guide in which certain laws cannot be bypassed. Then, onwards to equality. Unfortunately, as loved as the concept of equality is, it is mainly not followed; thus making it false. We strive for equality, but studies have shown that we’ve been struggling with inequality. Last but not least, is the social contract theory. Today, many constitutions and political systems are bound by social contracts, as they are important to how our world is run. Does the government bear the responsibility of carrying out the ideals that the founders envisioned? To some extent, the government follows some ideals, but doesn’t follow other ideals. For instance, the government still adheres to the principles of the Social Contract Theory, which posits that individuals consent, either explicitly or implicitly, to surrender some of their freedoms and submit to the authority of the ruler or magistrate in exchange for protection of their remaining
As society evolves, so do its values and priorities. The founders’ ideals were shaped by the historical context of their time, which is vastly different from today’s world. It is no surprise that some ideals are relevant, while others are irrelevant. Ideals such as liberty, justice, and equality remain central to the government’s mission. However, other ideals may become outdated or require reinterpretation to fit contemporary contexts. This dynamic nature of governance ensures that the government can respond to the needs of its citizens and the demands of the modern world, balancing tradition with progress. What can you do today to fulfill these ideals? As an individual citizen, you can participate in voting. Once you’ve reached the age to vote, you can help contribute to helping the Social Contract remain. I am a person under 18, so I still can’t vote, but there are other ways I can do to fulfill the ideals. For example, supporting human rights and equality can help, especially since equality was one of the ideals mentioned in the Enlightenment and the Declaration of Independence. You don’t need to be an adult, as you can donate money, participate in events your school or city hosts, and much