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Democratic Distemper, Samuel P. Huntington offers a deft and in-depth analysis of American political culture. The crux of Huntington's argument is that the 1960s witnessed a "dramatic upsurge of democratic fervor in America," that this upsurge has led to the titular "distemper." Political distemper has in turn created a series of unfortunate paradoxes that are creating ineffective social, political, and economic institutions. One of those paradoxes is that increased political protest against government (such as the anti-war efforts during the Vietnam era) has ironically led to a more emboldened federal budget, greater bureaucracy, and more excessive governmental expenditures. The second paradox is that in spite of a "bigger government," the executive office of the presidency has been weakened to the extent that the country no longer boasts a strong political leader.
Although the bulk of Huntington's argument is objective and descriptive in tone, the author does insinuate by the end of the essay that greater participation in...
The forms of direct democracy that American citizens have access to are beyond the ballot box, and include association with political action groups, civil rights organizations, and various other special interest groups. Participation in these groups is what Huntington calls "democracy," as opposed to actually participating in the political process by voting. Americans have become disillusioned by their government, and are divesting power from the executive toward more plebian authorities.
Huntington's perspective, although astute and well argued, can be criticized on several key points, the most notable of which is his seeming sympathy for elitism, oligarchy, and possibly also plutocracy. The author seems to believe that left unchecked by the masses, that a strong government will be benevolent and effective. Huntington also uses terms like "equality" with a suspicious sort of disdain, as he develops an argument…
Letter Birmingham Response to the Letter from Birmingham Jail It is difficult to imagine being in the position Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was in when he wrote this letter. Though it was far from the only time he was arrested during his campaigning for civil rights, the "Birmingham Campaign" that led to this arrest was one of the larger movements of civil disobedience that King helped to lead, and the weight
Letter from Birmingham Jail by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dear Sir: My name is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I am currently imprisoned in a Birmingham Jail as a result of accusations of inciting a riot. On the eve of October 14th of this year, 1958 I lead a peaceful demonstration protesting unfair wages and poor working conditions of the poor people in the city of Birmingham. I would like to
Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail" Martin Luther King Jr.'s letter from Birmingham Jail, which was written in April 16, 1963, is a passionate letter that addresses and responds to the issue and criticism that a group of white clergymen had thrown at him and his pro- black American organization about his and his organization's non- violent demonstrative actions against racial prejudice and injustice among black Americans in
Abstract This paper serves as a letter from Birmingham jail analysis essay. It first gives background information on the Birmingham Campaign and why King was there in the first place. Then it proceeds to discuss the reason he wrote his letter, which was a public response to public criticism he received from eight white Southern preachers. The analysis examines the letter itself and shows how King used various arguments and persuasive
He clarifies his status i.e. A spiritual leader and a learned person by using well chosen ethos of St. Aquinas, Jesus and Paul therefore puts him forth as a trustworthy person. Also being an African-American makes him the right person to participate in this event because he understands the situation properly. By use of logos he explains the reason behind the actions of the black persons of which the
Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter From Birmingham Jail." It uses M.Gandhi as an example of extremism to match King's example of Jesus Christ. It includes a quote by King on Gandhi. It distinguishes King's form of extreme behavior from the extreme action of those who mailed the anthrax-contaminated letters. LETTER FROM BIRMINGHAM JAIL Martin Luther King Jr. knew the same discontent and yearning for freedom that eventually manifests in oppressed people