Essay Sample on American Political Thought

The political system of the American society has undergone a distinct change through time due to the contributions of the famous American theorists, leaders, and philosophers. Conceivably, the nature of the society is driven by the actions of the most trusted individuals and who impacts the community in a greater way. The development of the American thought has therefore chronologically developed through some theories and positions explained by the influential leaders and individual such as Martin Luther King, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and many others sparked by history.

One of the greatest theories explaining the occurrence and growth within the American political thought is embedded in the conception of the American dream and the theory of the self-made men. Such notions formed the foundation of the principles streamlining the position of the society towards achieving that which is in the interest of the majority. It is important to note that, for something to develop to a level where it can be appreciated by the society, there must be some conflict and frictions about the opinions held by the trusted individuals in the community. Out of the contradictions, the best and most refined assertion is drawn and which forms the basis under which the society entrusts their belief.

This paper, therefore, critically analyses two major theories such as that of the self-made men and the American dream. In this analysis, the paper provides an in-depth interpretation of the different positions held by these prominent individuals towards the development of the American thought. In achieving this objective, the paper argues that, even though there existed many contradictions and differing positions held by the philosophers and leaders in the American society, they are all imperative in meeting the current and the most outstanding political system in the world.

The Self-made man

It is a political concept applied by most of the early leaders such as Martin Luther King and Dubois. This idea is deeply linked to the greatest American Dream as perceived by many scholars. The motive of the idea is to achieve a position where a man or woman can work hard and achieve a state of stable economic situation and bridge the gap between the wealthy and the have-nots. At the beginning of the works of Martin Luther King and Dubois who fought for equality, justice, and democracy among the American people, they applied this notion in communicating a powerful idea that despite being born from a disadvantaged background, there is still a possibility of one succeeding in life. The basic idea embedded in the broad conception is the fact that, based on the words of Benjamin Franklin regarded as the father of the American community. It is possible for the young people to succeed and make it in life regardless of the family inheritance, succession, privileges, and connections possessed by the family and friends.

This splendid idea is key to the achievements that the majority of the American leaders who out of nothing struggled and developed a psychological motive to be appreciated and feel important among the people. From the ideas and beliefs of Lincoln, who asserted that the only way to influence people is to understand their views right from the circumstances that govern their operations. Lincoln swore that he would not talk ill or criticize any man but say all the good about them. This political ideology became a fundamental that that inspired the position of the may within the American society in regarded to the achievement of the American dream which is vital and significant to the political stance and ideology of the man

According to the Martin Luther Kings' prestigious position and quote that says, an injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. This opinion held became to be known as one of the strongest fights that Luther stood for and which impacted the position of the many black politicians. The primary concern about his position mainly concerned the states of the blacks. In his view which was principally based on experience and observation, he realized that most of the blacks were being treated unfairly hence making the larger number of cases of injustice recorded in most of the American societies. In his struggle to change the political life of America and the thoughts of the current politicians, he did this by fighting for democracy, justice, and equality among the whites and blacks (Luther, 1990, p. 42). Being that most of the position that he took were from a minor point of view he had to fight for the oppressed who were purely blacks and not whites. The idea is how then did he influence the political thought of his time? And what is the connection to the self-made man conception?

Logically, comparing the Black Americans and the whites, they were standing at a disadvantaged position in their society. They were racially discriminated and therefore subjected to insufficient conditions favorable for healthy living, this was regarding employment, health standards, the remuneration which ultimately defined the societal stratification. His great quotes and encouragements influenced the current retired US President Barrack Obama and other early leaders including Martin Luther King Junior and his wife who was a senior human rights activist. The reality of life is the fact that, his position influenced the democratic principles that embedded their efforts in encouraging equity, human rights and upheld all the policies against discriminations especially those geared towards racial and other aspects affecting the life of the blacks in the society. Relating this to the current position of the United States, the majority of the citizens have come to trust the conception and view of the Democrats compared to that of the Republicans. Currently, the position of the United States under the leadership of Trump threatened to legalize racism and also fight against the Muslim community. The view of the American dream and the fight that the late Lincoln and majority of the human rights activist fought for is strongly against the notion. The most recent protests in the streets of the United States against that inhuman activities and breach of rights of the people by those supported by the government was a clear indication that indeed the American nation understood the ideas and principles that acted as a foundation that strengthened the current position of the United States.

In the United States, equality has served as a primary political tool for the campaign for most of the politicians. A good example of this is about the speech by the former president Barack. Most of the Citizens in the states loved him to the extent that he could not run for another term because of the Constitution but against the will of the people. In support of the view is the position taken by Hillary Clinton. She almost topped the American history, a dream that only changed last minute, an act that majority of the people fail to understand. The American society out of the myths, the culture of civilization, liberalism, and open-mindedness that came into being as a result of the long struggle has made the community to embrace the aspect of equality (Luther, 1990, p. 84). Gender has become a non-issue in the states, and the concept of justice has surpassed the principals laid by the feminist. It has become more than obvious that the American society is after what is good for the well-being of the people and the entire world since they are the powerful nation globally. The degree of struggle that occurred in the ancient times before the current reign has taught the community the need of fighting for what is right without much of additional considerations.

About the self-made conception, the society has learned to embrace the American dream plus all the prerequisite elements that strengthen it. Historically, about the rise of communism, the Unites States under the leadership of Truman came up with a doctrine that was aimed to expand against the Soviet Union after understanding and receiving information that the fundamental drive of the union was going to interfere with the American dream. Furthermore, their political influence to other countries was going to reduce. The idea here is to shoe the degree of significance that the American dream held towards the hard work that the citizens were willing to subject to their jobs so as to achieve the intended goal.

History continues to sparkle the reality of challenges that formed the foundation of democracy and fight for freedom within the United States. According to the Works of Dubois, who was the first African-American to earn the doctorate title hence becoming a professor of History, Economics, and Sociology. After a period of observation and realization of how the African Americans were being treated, he devised ways of assisting his colleagues who were mainly have nots based on the Karl Max theory. Out of his achievements, Dubois rose up to become a leader recognized nationally through a team of the Niagara Association that was motivated to fight for the well-being and equality of the blacks. He was one of the thinkers and educated black Americans who revived the struggle for what the society believes in today. The Dubois principality emanated from the need to stand against the Atlanta compromise that wanted to make blacks subject to politics and only support the whites to receive the formal education (Dubois, 1990, p.8). Dubois asserted that there is a need for liberation, equality for both races regarding education access, infrastructural development and administrative support. The notion of his idea was rooted in the needs and the unwavering sacrifice that he and his entire team forming the Niagara Movement believed in.

Dubois insisted that the only way to liberate the African American was to enable them to advance in education through the provision of equal chances. Furthermore, He believed in the fact that, political representation was an important aspect that could also give blacks an opportunity in the society. In a comparison framework, during the reign of the former US president Barrack Obama, it is viewed that blacks never complained. Most of their demands were being met since the president by that time understood some of the challenges that they were going through. My position does not imply that Barrack was discriminating the whites, but the position of justice that he incorporated in his leadership provides that sphere of influence where justice, equality and much of human rights were observed.

Today, under the Directorate of Trump, the African Americans and the blacks from the African nations find it very rough to stay in the States because of the political life and much of injustices that occur specifically to the blacks. Without being biased, it is evident that most of the people who are deported to their homes after the Trumps inauguration were individuals from the Muslim states and Africa. It shows the extent to which, the degree of injustice reached. The reason why it is viewed as the extent of outrage is that of the fact that most of the cases that were filed against such political commands were stopped by the courts.

About Dubois position, the concept of self-made man comes in in the following ways. If there exists equality in education, representation in political arena and other sectors critical to human empowerment, just like during the reign of Barrack, the American continent would be stable and far in the ladder as far as its economy and political life are concerned. It implies that Obama created an environment that supports the youth, empowering them to become self-dependent, rational, creative and innovative so as to stabilize themselves and make an impact on the society. It was in line with the American political thought that was initiated by the earlier founder...