Peter Singer, The Visible Man analysis
Isabel Fergenson
ENC 1101
Kira Geiger
Paper1 Rough Draft
Response to The Visible Man by Peter Singer In a democracy, it is important that the government has less privacy than the people so that the government does not acquire too much power, this is because democracies are only possible when the people are in power, the right to privacy leads to power, and democratic governments answer to the people, so the people should be able to monitor their government. In The Visible Man, Singer insinuates that internet surveillance technology may help democracy to flourish, because it can help the population monitor the government and corporate entities. It is true that access to information on the government is important. Singer also suggests that the government should use social media to surveil citizens because being watched may cause us to act ethically. I disagree with that assertion, because the government is not a person, it is a power structure that must not be allowed secrecy, lest it use its power for the wrong purposes. It is important that the citizens watch the government closely in order to prevent tyranny.
A true democracy is only possible when most of the population has control over the government. If the government abuses its power by ignoring the will of the people, then a democracy is impossible. Democracies are a rare occurrence because of the tendency of corrupt people to seek power. It is therefore extremely important for the members of a democracy to maintain ever vigilant regarding their government. If the government had a right to privacy, it would be impossible for the citizens to watch for signs of tyranny or corruption. When the people are blind to the actions of their government, the government is given free reign to enact oppressive laws, abusive foreign policies, ecologically unsound corporate regulations, etcetera.
The right to privacy leads to power. In order to empower the population
ENC 1101
Kira Geiger
Paper1 Rough Draft
Response to The Visible Man by Peter Singer In a democracy, it is important that the government has less privacy than the people so that the government does not acquire too much power, this is because democracies are only possible when the people are in power, the right to privacy leads to power, and democratic governments answer to the people, so the people should be able to monitor their government. In The Visible Man, Singer insinuates that internet surveillance technology may help democracy to flourish, because it can help the population monitor the government and corporate entities. It is true that access to information on the government is important. Singer also suggests that the government should use social media to surveil citizens because being watched may cause us to act ethically. I disagree with that assertion, because the government is not a person, it is a power structure that must not be allowed secrecy, lest it use its power for the wrong purposes. It is important that the citizens watch the government closely in order to prevent tyranny.
A true democracy is only possible when most of the population has control over the government. If the government abuses its power by ignoring the will of the people, then a democracy is impossible. Democracies are a rare occurrence because of the tendency of corrupt people to seek power. It is therefore extremely important for the members of a democracy to maintain ever vigilant regarding their government. If the government had a right to privacy, it would be impossible for the citizens to watch for signs of tyranny or corruption. When the people are blind to the actions of their government, the government is given free reign to enact oppressive laws, abusive foreign policies, ecologically unsound corporate regulations, etcetera.
The right to privacy leads to power. In order to empower the population