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Nabeeha Ahmed

Ambassador School of Global Leadership

Topic I: Republican Democracy in the United States

18 January, 2017

The Basis and Preaching of the United States

The separation of the United States from its motherland, Great Britain, was finalized by

an impactful document: the Declaration of Independence. The salient text, partially scribed by

Thomas Jefferson, listed five ideals: equality, rights, liberty, opportunity, and democracy. Many

of the ideals have been influenced by some of what forms a Republican Democracy, which are

cultural and religious traditions. Upon liberation, the five standards were imprinted as the

foundation of the seminal country. They make the land sound like a utopia where one can

achieve anything. Yet, there are many who refute that claim based on experience and the

evolution of the United States. Ironically, America has assisted other countries with their

democratic principles, despite not being able to fully execute those principles in its own territory.

The United States has not met the democratic values upon which the United States was founded

due to discrimination, yet has a role in the global community to promote democratic values

because of past international involvement.

The formation of the United States’ Republican Democracy and its values have many

contributors. Judaism and Christianity presented the idea that everyone is subjected to God and

are equal under Him. Similarly, all civilians are held responsible for their crimes in the eye of the

law. The Romans introduced the idea of republicanism, a system in which citizens elect a

representative to make laws for the governed. Republicanism remains a crucial part in the U.S.

government and allows the opportunity for the public’s voice to be heard. In “What Modern
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Democracies Didn’t Copy From Ancient Greece”, Nick Romeo describes the involvement of the

Greeks, “Athenian democracy was far more inclusive… All citizens had the right to vote in the

Assembly, which met roughly once every 10 days…”. The Greek’s direct democracy

emphasized popular sovereignty, reinforcing the idea that the government get its power from the

populace. The Greek’s civilian involvement also led to America having the right of trial by jury.

In “Introduction” from Darren Staloff’s Hamilton, Adams, Jefferson: The Politics of

Enlightenment and The American Founding, Staloff wrote, “Where Locke had conjured the

social contract as an implicit, theoretical explanation of the origins of government, men like

Hamilton, Adams, and Jefferson rendered it a reality...”. Strong figures of the Enlightenment like

John Locke enabled America to form its own social contract between the government and its

civilians: the Constitution. Republican Democracy and its values stand as a reflection of

prominent teachings and other forms of government practiced globally.

Various examples of prejudice have allowed for the conclusion that the U.S. has not met

up to the democratic values it has been founded on. Authors Adam Przeworski, Susan C. Stokes,

and Bernard Manin explain in “Election and Representation” of Democracy Accountability, and

Representation, “…Candidates present themselves to voters, informing them about their policy

intentions. Specifically, they tell voters which policies they intend to pursue, for what purposes,

and with which consequences”. The democracy of the United States has failed numerous times to

make their residents more involved and informed. For instance, when the U.S. joined World War

I in 1917, the government did not ask its Americans if they should participate in the war; instead,

President Woodrow Wilson tried justifying his decision through speeches and recruitment

posters. Additionally, the progressive era in the late 1900s demonstrates the lack of rights given

to women, immigrants, and children working in dangerous conditions where their safety was not
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guaranteed on top of receiving inadequate wages. Many students have not been given the

opportunity to attend the college of their choice due to financial struggles, whereas some

wealthier citizens are able to pursue the same goal simply because they can afford it. More

recently, plentiful Muslims have been victims of hate crimes, told to take off their hijabs, and to

go back to where they came from if they wanted to practice their religion, despite being U.S.

citizens. Failure in upholding the founding ideals prevents the American forefront from

achieving the American Dream.

Although the democratic values of the U.S. Republican Democracy are not carried out

effectively, the nation has encouraged them worldwide. America’s involvement in both World

War I and World War II, while also providing for Berlin, has showcased the country’s effort in

trying to contribute equality, liberty, and opportunity internationally. When lands were being

taken over by massive powers like Germany, the United States tried to stop them and keep those

areas separate. Saving nations from being taken over gives them the chance to be represented as

equal counterparts to other territories. The U.S. tried to save Berlin from the Soviet Union’s

oppression and supply them with freedom, so the weakening city would not be enslaved by the

Russian region. Most importantly, the U.S. strived in assisting those who were struggling for the

chance to survive. The opportunity to survive would allow those nations to live according to their

own terms and beliefs, keeping their spirit alive. The U.S. fought to give others what it believes

in: independence in the form of unapologetic individualism and freedom.

The United States remains a vast nation that is the result of having a strong foundation.

Its Republican Democracy is the product of Judeo-Christian values and Greek/Roman tradition.

America has its own tenets that it may not uphold as well as it should. Many Americans have not

had their rights satisfied nor guaranteed. Inequity and lack of true freedom remains amongst the
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citizen as religious tolerance is not at a high. The government does not live up to its belief in

giving extreme power to its civilians as it is not very inclusive of them. Not everyone in

American society has the same opportunities to pursue their dreams because of their status. Yet,

the U.S. has advocated for the implementation of its democratic principles around the world

several times. Despite its flaws, this nation’s government and its values enable the country to

stand tall as a strong figure that is a leader, not a follower.

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Works Cited

Montes, Mayra. “Roots of Democratic Government.” Lecture on 8 December 2016. PowerPoint

presentation.

Przeworski, Adam, Susan C. Stokes, Bernard Manin, Democracy Accountability, and

Representation, Ch. 1 “Election and Representation,” (pp.29-54) PDF 1-15.

Romeo, Nick. “What Modern Democracies Didn’t Copy From Ancient Greece,” National

Geographic, 4 November, 2016. PDF 1-4.

Staloff, Darren. Hamilton, Adams, Jefferson: The Politics of Enlightenment and The American

Founding, “Introduction,” (pp. 3-43) PDF 1-22.