"Society is indeed a contract. Subordinate contracts for objects of mere occasional interest may be dissolved at pleasure--but the state ought not to be considered as nothing better than a partnership agreement in a trade of pepper and coffee...taken up for a little temporary interest, and to be dissolved by the fancy of the parties....As the ends of such a partnership cannot be obtained in many generations, it becomes a partnership not only between those who are living, but between those who are to be born. Each contract of each particular state is but a clause in the great primaeval contract of eternal society, linking the lower with the higher natures, connecting the visible and the invisible world, according to a fixed compact...." --Edmund Burke, Reflections on the French Revolution (1789)
"Every age and generation must be as free to act itself in all cases as the age and generation which preceded it. The vanity and presumptions of governing beyond the grave is the most ridiculous and insolent of all tyrannies. Man has no property in man; neither has any generation a property in the generations which are to follow. Every generation is, and must be, competent to all the purposes which its occasions require. It is the living, and not the dead, that are to be accommodated." --Thomas Paine, The Rights of Man (1792)
1. With which of these arguments do you think most Americans would agree? Why do you think so?
A: I think most Americans would agree with Burke's argument because it has been proven that government actions have affected people generations after generations.
Good.
To determine which argument most Americans would agree with, we can analyze the perspectives presented in the quotes and compare them with the values and beliefs commonly held by Americans.
In the first quote by Edmund Burke, he argues that society is a contract that extends beyond just the current generation. He emphasizes the idea that each contract of a particular state is part of a larger and eternal contract connecting different generations. This viewpoint suggests that societal obligations and structures should be maintained and respected for the benefit of future generations.
On the other hand, Thomas Paine's quote emphasizes the importance of individual freedom and the right of each generation to make decisions for themselves, free from the constraints or influence of previous generations. He argues against the idea of governing beyond the grave, asserting that each generation should have the freedom to act and shape their own destiny.
Considering American values and history, there is a strong emphasis on individual freedoms, independence, and the ability to pursue one's own path. This aligns closely with the sentiment expressed by Paine regarding each generation's competence and freedom to act according to their own needs and circumstances.
Therefore, it is likely that most Americans would align more with Thomas Paine's argument in "The Rights of Man" rather than Edmund Burke's perspective. The emphasis on individual liberties and the rejection of governance beyond the grave resonate with principles found in documents such as the Declaration of Independence, which prioritize the rights and self-determination of individuals.
However, it's important to note that individual perspectives on these matters can vary, and there will always be Americans who may hold different opinions and interpretations of these arguments based on their personal beliefs or political ideologies.