POS110 Module 1 Formation of the American Idea

Summary

This video from Mesa Community College delves into the formation of American ideology, tracing its roots to Greek and Roman political thought and the British tradition. It emphasizes the significance of civic virtue for democracy, the evolution of the limited state through the Magna Carta, and the British colonists' experience in America, which led to self-governance and the eventual American Revolution. The script also discusses the contrast between the American colonies and England, highlighting the greater opportunities and rights in the colonies, despite the limitations of suffrage and the labor dynamics that would later spark conflict.

Takeaways

• 🏛 The American ideology has roots in the British tradition, which in turn was influenced by Greek and Roman political thinking.
• 🌟 Classical republicanism emphasized civic virtue, moral education, and small uniform communities as essential for the common good.
• 🚦 Civic virtue is exemplified by voluntary adherence to laws and social norms, even in the absence of enforcement.
• 🌱 The American founding fathers considered civic virtue crucial for democracy, as self-governance requires behavioral self-regulation.
• 📜 The Magna Carta marked the beginning of a limited state in England, establishing the rule of law and checks on the monarchy's power.
• 🏰 Feudalism and the Divine Right of Kings were part of the medieval period, which reestablished state authority through a hierarchical system.
• 🌿 British colonists in America saw themselves as returning to a state of nature, leading to the creation of written compacts and charters for governance.
• 🌱 The abundance of land and scarcity of labor in America contributed to greater social mobility and equality compared to the rigid class system in England.
• 🗳️ The American colonies had more local autonomy, leading to more frequent and meaningful elections and a broader suffrage for white males with property.
• ⚖️ The American Revolution was influenced by 150 years of self-governance and Enlightenment ideas on social contracts and natural rights.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Roman Republic in the formation of the American idea?

The Roman Republic was idealized by Western thinkers and served as a model for classical republicanism, which emphasizes the public good and civic virtue. It influenced political thinking in Western Europe and laid a foundation for the American idea by demonstrating the importance of a republic over tribal warlords, despotic empires, or vassal kingdoms.

What are the three requirements for classical republicanism to work according to the script?

The three requirements for classical republicanism to work are civic virtue, moral education, and small uniform communities. Civic virtue involves citizens obeying the law and working towards the common good. Moral education ensures children are socialized to accept the state's morality. Small uniform communities mean a homogeneous society to maintain the collective good.

Why was civic virtue considered the most important by the founders of the American government?

Civic virtue was seen as essential for democracy to survive because a self-governing citizenry needed to be capable of governing itself behaviorally, putting limits on its own behavior without coercion from the state.

How does the script use the example of a rural intersection to illustrate civic virtue?

The script uses the example of stopping at a stop sign at a rural intersection in the middle of the night when no one is around to demonstrate civic virtue. Stopping because it's the right thing to do, even when no one is watching, indicates a high level of civic virtue.

What is the connection between a lack of civic virtue and the expansion of government as described in the script?

A society lacking civic virtue may require an expansive government with many rules to compel behavior, potentially leading to a less free society. This is illustrated by the script through the example of financial regulations imposed after corporate malfeasance, which reduced societal freedom due to a lack of trust in individuals to act ethically.

How did the Magna Carta contribute to the concept of a limited state as discussed in the script?

The Magna Carta established the rule of law, limiting the king's power by ensuring that even the monarch was bound by rules. It introduced rights such as habeas corpus, which protected individuals from arbitrary imprisonment, and laid the foundation for a limited state with checks on the monarchy's power.

What is the significance of the British tradition of constitutionalism in the American idea?

The British tradition of constitutionalism, which involves a higher law that limits government actions, was foundational to the American idea. It influenced the colonists' belief in the necessity of a constitution for legitimate government, emphasizing the importance of fundamental rights and the rule of law.

How did the availability of land and scarcity of labor in the American colonies impact the social structure and political rights?

The abundance of land and scarcity of labor in the colonies led to greater opportunities and more respect for laborers, resulting in more equality between classes, greater suffrage, and stronger local government. This contrasted with the rigid class structure in England and contributed to the development of a more democratic society in the colonies.

What was the role of the Enlightenment philosophies in shaping the American Revolution as mentioned in the script?

Enlightenment philosophies, such as social contracts and natural rights, played a significant role in shaping the American Revolution by influencing colonists' beliefs about government legitimacy and the rights of individuals, setting the stage for the revolutionary ideas that led to the break from British rule.

How did the experience of self-governance in the American colonies differ from that in England, and what were the implications?

The American colonies had 150 years of self-governance experience, which was built on the British tradition of limited government and human rights. However, unlike England, the colonies had to rely on written compacts and constitutions due to the 'state of nature' they perceived themselves to be in. This led to a stronger emphasis on local governance, more political rights for the average citizen, and a more democratic society, which eventually contributed to the American Revolution.