Peaceful Resistance To Government Essay
One need only look to Abraham Lincoln to best respond to the question, "Does peaceful resistance to laws positively or negatively impact a free society?" All too often, government is a term applied erroneously to some faceless inanimate mass. As if government is more a thing than a collective, decision-making, living, breathing organism. You often hear people blaming societal problems and failings on the ineffective "government." Government does not, nor can it exist without people. For those who do not exercise their right to vote, they can hardly complain when decisions are made, policies enacted and laws passed. For many, the very act of voting could be described as peaceful resistence. We line up at the polling booths, our very decision
…show more content…
It is during these times that society breaks down, rights are violated and we lose sight of purpose.On the contrary, peaceful resistence most often is a gathering of people who feel that an outward display of people sharing a common vision will alert "government" to the plight of their constituents. For the machine of government to respond with any sense of empathy or justice, they must remember Abraham Lincoln who truly saw government as an organized gathering of people, people who would not set themselves apart, but rather would remain connected and deeply immersed in the day to day struggles of their fellow countrymen. It is when we set ourselves apart and hold ourselves in the highest esteem that we lose sight. It is then that civil disobedience is vital to the survival of a nation. You see, if government could remain continually aware of their purpose, there would be no need for civil or uncivilized disobediemce. In the world that we live in today with the huge disparities between cultures, education, wealth and privilege, civil disobedience is essential. Peaceful protests, organized marches and rallies puts a face on an issue. It puts the people back in the spotlight and reminds lawmakers and policy setters that their actions are not without
It is during these times that society breaks down, rights are violated and we lose sight of purpose.On the contrary, peaceful resistence most often is a gathering of people who feel that an outward display of people sharing a common vision will alert "government" to the plight of their constituents. For the machine of government to respond with any sense of empathy or justice, they must remember Abraham Lincoln who truly saw government as an organized gathering of people, people who would not set themselves apart, but rather would remain connected and deeply immersed in the day to day struggles of their fellow countrymen. It is when we set ourselves apart and hold ourselves in the highest esteem that we lose sight. It is then that civil disobedience is vital to the survival of a nation. You see, if government could remain continually aware of their purpose, there would be no need for civil or uncivilized disobediemce. In the world that we live in today with the huge disparities between cultures, education, wealth and privilege, civil disobedience is essential. Peaceful protests, organized marches and rallies puts a face on an issue. It puts the people back in the spotlight and reminds lawmakers and policy setters that their actions are not without