Resistance to Civil Government or Civil Disobedience as it is commonly referred to is a philosophical argument written by Henry David Thoreau. Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi drew upon this very important political piece to start their political movements. Often after reading this piece some people ask if this a piece written in support of anarchy, but I disagree with that thought. An anarchist tries to destroy the current government or administration for the sake of the own political gains. Henry David Thoreau doesn't try to destroy the current government he is criticizing it and offering his opinion on how to fix the situation. In the first couple pages we read in class Thoreau argues that government doesn't prove itself useful and it receives it's power from the majority because they have the strongest group not because they have legitimate good ideas. This is a pretty deep and critical political and philosophical arguement I look forward to exploring Thoreau's ideas more in class.
To read follow the link : http://www.transcendentalists.com/civil_disobedience.htm
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
There is much to consider here. I am anxious to see what you may think of Thoreau's thoughts once you have read Dr. King's letter from a Birminghap jail.
ReplyDelete