Liberty vs. Community

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Liberty vs. Community The distinctive attributes of our democracy have been individual liberty since the independence of America came about in the seventeenth century. No other aspect is so significant to America's reflection of itself. Such freedoms and rights are the sole causes of impacting events in our nation, from new European settlers to the construction of our Constitution. However, the argumentative standpoint of political theorist Alan Brinkley points out that although such liberty has been "central to our history and basic to our political and social system. They have not been the only forces shaping our public world. At least equally important, through most of American history, has been the idea of community (p. 87)." The entire concept of liberal philosophy is based upon the liberal and conservative standpoint. The liberal point of view correlates with communitarianism. The Democratic Party would be the closest political group associated with this standpoint in particular. This concept is centralized around social capital and wealth redistribution. Many contemporary communitarians consider community and localism to be hand in hand. Their beliefs are that such gatherings as the neighborhood church, PTA, Little League, and the local bowling league are the root of civic vitality. The controversy that lies within the idea of social capital is whether or not people are truly concerned about forming a community. Are people going to bother joining the local PTA or other random gatherings for the sole purpose of community benefit? Brinkley opinionates that it is the voluntary associations that brand it feasible for individuals to interlace themselves into a commonwealth. Brinkley points out two sides of the commun... ... middle of paper ... ...its glitches, I feel the author is on the right track. How can a nation properly flourish when everyone is only concerned with their own well being? Such selfishness can only lead to a society filled with either people who are extremely successful, or the exact opposite. The idea of community is exactly what our country needs to pay attention to. This concept engulfs the true meaning of what liberty is, and true liberty cannot be achieved without first establishing a sense of community. A feeling of social participation is needed for the overall well being of our nation. Brinkley himself said it best with "we need liberty and community, for neither is sustainable without the other (p.101)". He is exactly correct because America needs to break away from the selfish grounds that have been previously set and focus on building a stable foundation to reach pure liberty.

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