We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

The equality of all citizens is the cornerstone of this declaration.  The country from which our forefathers were seeking relief, Great Britain, was governed by a King.  We do not believe in birthright privileges, in it’s purest  terms.  There is, of course, nepotism in many forms and manifestations.  However, our foundation is set in the idea that anyone can aspire to greatness through effort and talent.  Additionally, each person is valued equally – that is the intent of the document, if not the practice – and therefore enjoy all the rights and privileges of any citizen.  We are a representative democracy whose power lay with the members of the electorate.  Our system may not be perfect, but when compared, it reigns supreme.

This outtake was chosen for obvious reasons, it is our founding espousement.  Throughout our history, when times were most discouraging, it was the spirit of these words that encouraged and empowered.  Even today, the words retain power.  Our society is ripe with injustice and unfairness.  Our politics can be fairly judged as biased towards the ‘haves’.  Disparity is at an all-time high.  Citizens of a lessor nation would revolt in mass and act self destructively.  However, because we have inculcated the spirit of equality, we are able to withstand forces that may destroy others.  We live in a great nation – by no means perfect, but great nonetheless.  Much of our success is due to the wisdom of our founding fathers, and one of the most inspired expressions of the aforementioned fathers was the declaration which appears above.    

Trans-national America

“Against the thinly disguised panic which calls itself ‘patriotism’ and the thinly disguised militarism which calls itself ‘preparedness’ the cosmopolitan ideal is set.  This does not mean that those who hold it are for a policy of drift.  They, too, long passionately for an integrated and disciplined America.  But they do not want one which is integrated only for domestic economic exploitation of the workers or for predatory economic imperialism among the weaker peoples.  They do not want one that is integrated by coercion or militarism, or for the truculent assertion of a medieval code of honor and of doubtful rights.  They believe that the most effective integration will be one which coordinates the diverse elements and turns them consciously toward working out together the placed of America in the world-situation.  They demand for integration a genuine integrity, a wholeness and soundness of enthusiasm and purpose which can only come when no national colony within our America feels that it is being discriminated against or that its cultural case is being prejudiced.  This strength of cooperation, this feeling that all who are here may have a hand in the destiny of America, will make for a finer spirit of integration than any narrow “Americanism” or forced chauvinism.” (pages 12-13)

The cosmopolitan ideal discussed in the article did not make me think of a time gone by, it speaks to many of the issues and concerns of modern-day America.  When Bourne writes about the thinly disguised panics which calls itself ‘patriotism’ and the thinly disguise militarism which calls itself ‘preparedness’, I immediately think of the republican front-runner in the 2016 Presidential Campaign, Donald Trump.  The use of coded language and exploitation of people’s fear is all too familiar.  As the author goes on about the desire for ‘discipline’ and ‘integrity’, I’m reminded of Mr. Trump’s campaign slogan “Make America Great Again”.

The best sentence states, in part, “The most effective integration will be one which coordinated the diverse elements and turns them consciously toward working out together the place of America in the world-situation.”  I think this most accurately conveys the promise of America.

As previously stated, I believe the paragraph quoted accurately captures what is important in the sometimes rambling, and for-academic-use-only, publication of Mr. Randolph S. Bourne.  As a man of color, I find it very interesting how dismissive the author is regarding the place for those who look like me in ‘trans-national America’.  However, amid my moments of reflection, I am forced to acknowledge that Colonialization and the American experience are, in many ways, one in the same.  The European people and culture have tremendously effected the shaping of modern-day America.  There are definite values and codes of demeanor that dictates the success or failure of any person immigrating; no one can deny how much influence European etiquette continues to wield.  The question becomes, therefore, are we any more than a knock-off copy of something great?  No.  Actually, we are what is best in the world.  We have co-opted from many great cultures, including African- thou not really acknowledged- and arrived at a place far short of perfection, but greatly desired, admired, and envied by peoples the world over.     

Assignment Due 2/13

As the forgoing quotations make clear, the pluralists concentrate their attention, not upon the sources of power, but its exercise.  Power to them means “participation in decision making” and can be analyzed only after “careful examination of a series of concrete decisions.”  As a result, the pluralist researcher is uninterested in the reputedly powerful.  His concerns instead are to (a) select for study a number of “key” as opposed to “routine” political decisions, (b) identify the people who took an active part in the decision making process, (c) obtain a full account of their actual behavior while the policy conflict was being resolved, and (d) determine and analyze the specific outcome of the conflict. (Bachrach, Baratz, page 948)

This passage explains the perceived technique employed by the pluralist in conducting research.  The author makes assumptions about what the researcher is concerned about and what his interests.

I chose this passage because in attempting to disprove the merit of the “pluralist” methodology, the author actually makes their case very effectively for them.  “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power” (Abraham Lincoln).  Power exist only in action; reputed power is like a “reality show”, it’s not real.  Our lives are made up of consequences resulting from a series of decisions.  Those who make the decisions are the power brokers.  Everyone has opinions, but only decision-maker’s opinions matter, in the end.  Slaves had opinions, but no power.  True power is the ability to evaluate information, deliberate, and make a decision.  Without the ability to take part in the decision-making process, you are a mere spectator in the game of life.

Class scheduled 02/06/16

It is Saturday, February 06, 2016, 1207pm.  This is the assigned time for class, which I understand will not convene today.  Due to lack of direction, I am entering this communique to demonstrate my presence.  I have read the assigned articles am present prepared to discuss.