- Published: September 28, 2022
- Updated: September 28, 2022
- University / College: University of Aberdeen
- Level: Intermediate School
- Language: English
- Downloads: 12
Book Report America emerged as strong and triumphant despite the grievous wars it had participated in and which affected numerous global states to the extent of leaving some – Britain, for example – economically unstable. This was due to a colossal funding needed to maintain the country’s power over the colonies it had acquired. However, the awaited freedom among the Americans both interiorly and exteriorly had some serious defects, which rendered equality nonexistent among the country’s population. This was evident during the McCarthyism era, when certain individuals in the American leadership were suspected to be communist traitors. McCarthy observed how some of the state’s top and influential people and their children had shamelessly betrayed America. He contends how “ young men who are born with silver spoons in their mouths are the ones who have been worst….” Therefore, according to McCarthy, the state government “ is thoroughly infested with communists” (238). This was like allowing the adversary to invade the state via “ dealing with a far more sinister type of activity because it permitted the enemy to guide and shape our policy” (p. 238). This has led to inequality, especially among those participating in legal processes, which is evident in the McCarthy’s argument where initially he claims to have a list of 205 traitors in the government; during his speech, however, the number turns to be 57 people.
Besides, power concentration has acted as a freedom barrier where few people, despite their sobriety, manipulate it, which limits the liberty of the population. For instance, this is evident in the President Kennedy’s statement: “ ask not what the country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country” (256). This implies that “ Neither half of the statement expresses a relation between the citizen and his government that is worthy of the ideals of the free men in a free society” (256). This affirms how the people are the state’s servants while the beneficiaries constitute few persons who are influential and capable of manipulating power to suit their interests. Free people normally utilize the government as a tool where individuals, despite their status, normally unite as compatriots for the benefit of all, which is safeguarding their freedom. Therefore, a free man usually inquires “ what can I and my compatriots do through government to help us discharge our individual responsibilities, to achieve our several goals and purposes, and above all, to protect our freedom?” (256).
Additionally, the regime has not lived and exercised the ideals of its constitution to safeguard the freedom of the people but has violated them repeatedly. The initial ideal or principle encompasses limiting the government’s scope in order “ to protect our freedom both from the enemies outside our gates and from fellow-citizens: to preserve law and order, to enforce private contracts, to foster competitive markets” (257). The second ideal violated entails the absence of dispersion of the regime’s power, which gives few individuals adequate capability to influence any process they wish to benefit themselves through.
2.
America’s involvement in global liberalization, especially in disentangling some states from dehumanizing powers, divergently did worse by denying freedom than by granting it. This was via its foreign policies’ formulation according to which, due to the fear of the communists’ influence, the USA funded and aided some colonies indirectly. For illustration, Britain, after having exhausted its resources, solicited for assistance from America to prevent communists from invading the country’s colonies; thus, Britain could continue ruling these colonies. This was an extension of cold war, during which America willingly intervened, despite numerous and loud outcry emanating from diverse civil rights activists, especially during the Vietnam War. Besides, American support was also evident during South Africa’s struggle for liberty when, despite calling for freedom globally, the USA aided the minority (Boars) to extent dehumanizing apartheid rule, which segregated the majority. All these efforts were to ensure the communist atheism did not prevail in any way, which also extends to the present. For illustration, the tracking and termination of the Iraq’s ruler, Sadaam Hussein, who was against America.
NB//. The paginated quotes comes from ” voices of freedom”