Abstract
This is a report on Don Nardo's book "The Declaration of Independence: A Model for Individual Rights". The book presents the Declaration in both a historical and philosophical light, pointing out in various revisions of the Declaration, what elements have survived into present-day American moral beliefs, and which have been abandoned or altered. The paper also discusses the taxation and military occupation that instigated the American Revolution.

Tags:independence, declaration, independence

Abstract
The document known as the "Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen" was written for the purpose of delineating the rights that every individual is entitled to. This paper examines what inspired its author, Frenchman le Marquis de La Fayette, to pen the document in 1789. It also looks at the main points of the declaration, its intentions and the language used.

From the Paper
"Besides defining what the basic role of government should be, the declaration gives citizens the ability to hold government liable for its actions. Article 6 gives all citizens the right to participate in the lawmaking process, either directly or through their representatives. Citizens are also given the right to keep public officials held accountable for the actions of their administration as stated in Article 15. Much of the declaration's principles express the importance that must be shown towards maintaining the rights of individuals."

Tags:French, National, Assembly, War, of, Independence, Declaration, monarchy, aristocracy

Abstract
This essay analyzes the importance of John Locke's philosophy on the American Declaration of Independence of 1776. The paper analyzes various segments of Locke's "The Second Treatise of Civil Government," the philosophical influence of the 'government by consent' for American leaders who sought to create a new representational republican government. This paper argues that the basis of Locke's philosophy on governing is readily applicable to the way and manner in which personal liberties took a greater value in early America. By understanding the premise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of individual liberties, Locke's philosophy represents a major influence on how America's revolution created a republican government that denied absolutist governmental institutions within this historical period.

From the Paper
"The ultimate act of revolution must stem from a dissolution of the laws that had once formed the unity of government. Locke also proposed this solution when a government had violated its own laws, especially through the corruption of those that rule or make these laws in association with the people. For the Founding Fathers, the ideology of representational government had become paramount, as they had virtually no rights to legally debate or vote in laws that might be beneficial for them, as well as the British government. They defined these beliefs through Locke's understanding of the inherent right of those being ruled to have a legal representation, even under a monarchy..."

Tags:influence, declaration of independence, revolutionary american government

Abstract
This paper explores how the two beliefs in the Declaration of Independence that all men are created equal and that any government derives its power from the people form the essence of what it means to be an American. With this as basis, the American identity is not a single identity at all but a varied one applicable to people from different backgrounds, races, classes, and cultures. The writer explains that there is a belief system based on equality, fairness, optimism, the rule of law, and a sense of self-reliance that connects such diverse groups Southerners, Americans of the Northeast, and Americans of the Far West, and that freedom to make personal choices is the real key to the American identity.

From the Paper
"Certainly, much of American history tests the first premise, for to state it is one thing, while to live it is another. When the United States was formed, some were clearly more equal than others in spite of the rhetoric. Still, a belief in equality has been and remains a central belief in the American identity, even if the reality sometimes fails to match the ideal. As can be seen with reference to the second basic tenet, Americans from the first have also distrusted the power of government and do so even if they believe in that power to effect beneficial change. One can see distrust of government throughout the political spectrum in America."

Tags:individual, language, ethnicity, population, unifying, opposition

Abstract
The paper examines the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples using an anthropological perspective. The paper describes how the declaration emphasizes anthropological concepts such as reciprocity; recognition of individual cultures and societies; and recognition of culture as one, large human culture at the same time. However, the paper discusses how the declaration is unlikely to have a positive impact on Canadian and U.S. indigenous peoples, as these two countries failed to support the declaration. The paper posits that the rejection of the declaration by these two countries is in fact likely to set back progress towards integrating Indigenous peoples as part of overall culture in these regions.

From the Paper
"The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is examined in this paper using an anthropological perspective. The declaration emphasizes anthropological concepts such as reciprocity; recognition of individual cultures and societies; and recognition of culture as one, large human culture at the same time."

Tags:anthropology, indigenous, peoples

Abstract
The paper discusses how the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples emphasizes anthropological concepts such as reciprocity; recognition of individual cultures and societies; and recognition of culture as one, large human culture at the same time. However, the paper posits that the declaration is unlikely to have a positive impact on Canadian and U.S. Indigenous peoples, as these two countries failed to support the declaration. The paper argues that the rejection of the declaration by these two countries is in fact likely to set back progress towards integrating Indigenous peoples as part of overall culture in these regions.

From the Paper
"The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is examined in this paper using an anthropological perspective. The declaration emphasizes anthropological concepts such as reciprocity; recognition of individual cultures and societies; and recognition of culture as one, large human culture at the same time. However, the..."

Tags:united, nations, indigenous

Abstract
Concessions to slaveowners in an effort to hold the Union together compromised the ideals of individual freedom set forth in the Declaration of Independence to result in an American society less free than the founders had envisioned. This paper traces the relationship of ideas in the Declaration and Constitution to the realities of slavery from 1776 through the Constitutional Convention, the Lincoln administration and the end of the Civil War.

Abstract
This paper contends that Jefferson's Declaration of Independence that symbolized the classic American Dream has yet to be fully materialized for people of color. The paper argues that wealth and prosperity are tantamount to better health, education and opportunity and reveals that there is a gross majority of non-whites inhabiting America's slums and ghettos. The paper asserts that the true reality of the American Dream was proven during the Hurricane Katrina debacle in which the Bush administration failed to provide emergency services for victims, who were mainly black individuals.

From the Paper
"Regarded as one of the most eminent documents in US History, Jefferson's Declaration of Independence symbolized the classic American Dream which culminates in happiness for all. However, since that first night of victory in 1776, this "dream" has yet to be fully materialized in society. Well, for some that is. For people like Jefferson- well-to-do, educated, wealthy, white men- the American dream has very much become and stayed a reality for themselves and their progeny. For others- people of color- the dream is still a faraway dream. Perhaps, the flaw in the document is that there exists a basic hardened lie-- that not "all men" are created equal. Certainly, not "all men" of color who were enslaved at the time nor women who had very little rights would agree with this statement. Even at the outset of delivering a universal manifesto of freedom, Jefferson failed to see that "all men" were actually "white men.""

Tags:blacks, slums, poverty, Katrina

Abstract
This is a paper that outlines the common principle found in both the documents of law of the United States "The Declaration of Independence" and Constitution. That is the protection of the rights of individual.

Abstract
This paper deals with the hysteria created in the United States since the Sept 11th terrorist attack. It show how despite the American Constitution declaring freedom and rights for all, the law enforcement agents have been infringing on these rights.

From the Paper
"In the wake of the tragedy that occurred on September 11, 2001, however, the government has been banishing rather than protecting those rights that were originally granted to U.S. citizens. A government that is ignoring its own Constitution is no longer protecting the will of the individual. According to Gerald Johnson, author of "The American Presidency," the Founding Fathers "would be astounded if they knew the changes that have occurred." (Johnson.) "

Tags:war, undemocracy, patriotism, federal, government, civil, liberty