GOVT 329 Conditt Final Research Paper.docx.pdf

Final Research Paper: Egalitarianism

Elizabeth Conditt

Helms School of Government , Liberty University

GOVT 329 American Exceptionalism

Professor Miller

October 12, 2020

Abstract

Over the course of history, people from all over the world of different races and cultures have

come to America in pursuit of the rights and opportunities that their home country did not offer.

with America from its beginning by discussing the true intentions of the founding fathers.

American exceptionalism if not addressed.

Final Research Paper: Egalitarianism

American exceptionalism and the characteristics that make this concept have

continuously been the topics of discussion and debate amongst scholars since America’s humble

four traits that he believes are what truly make America exceptional: industrious, egalitarianism,

only the establishment of America, but it also continues to be a relevant trait in modern America

that has become more of a hot topic.

Definition of Egalitarianism

Egalitarianism is referred to as the “view that all people are of equal fundamental moral

or social worth, and should be treated as such” (Gregory et al, 2009, p. 187). Egalitarianism can

social equality. Economic equality in America is the idea that everyone has the opportunity to

achieve and support a life of wealth as well as access to resources to help do so. Political equality

in America is the idea that all American “citizens have an equal voice in governmental decisions”

(Verba, 2003, p. 663). Social equality refers to the equality of all Americans. Meaning that all

Americans are treated equally and are all entitled to the same rights no matter their race, age, or

gender. Each of these egalitarian forms have successfully contributed to exactly what makes

America so exceptional. America did not always have these ideas of equality and to this day still

faces issues concerning the subject, but over the years Americans have made and continue to

slowly make the many necessary changes to ensure that the equality the Founding Fathers

intended would be honored.

Association With American Culture

(Harrigan & Yonk, 2017, p. 27). America came to be because people did not want to be under the

equality for everyone and to create a place where no one was more superior than anyone else.

This introduced the concept of equality into the American culture. America is exceptional in

many ways, including striving to maintain a country where everyone is treated equally. The

Founding Fathers established a government that prioritizes equality and also protects that

equality for every American. Gingrich states that “The Declaration of Independence was clear on

further validates the true intentions of the Founding Fathers concerning equality. At the time,

freedom from inequality for everyone was a priority. To achieve this, the law had to fit this

agenda in order for everyone to possess that freedom. Harrigan and York state that “The principle

of equality stood directly behind every attempt to bolster the rule of law at the expense of the

rule of man” (Harrigan & Yonk, 2017, p. 29). America was founded on egalitarianism and it

continues to contribute to the uniqueness of America.

Another way that egalitarianism has become associated with American culture is through

the equal freedom and opportunities for everyone including immigrants. From America’s

beginning, immigrants flocked to America in search of a new beginning that provided the

freedom and equality that America promoted. They were also in search of new opportunities that

their home country did not offer in hopes of creating a better life. Pessen states that America

family or one’s race or beliefs. We are a merit-based society where people from every

to America and go from rags-to-riches.

Over the years egalitarianism has evolved as the country has grown and become more

progressive in their views and ways of thinking. Egalitarianism is still very much a prominent

trait in modern-day America, but it has a different meaning. Whaples states that “modern

Egalitarianism in America still has shortcomings and still needs work. Throughout American

history, the issue of equality has been the cause of wars and riots, but also has influenced positive

changes in legislation such as the abolishment of slavery, civil rights, women’s rights, voting

rights, and many more. While the road equality has been brutal, and despite this progress, in the

last few years the issue of equality has become a matter of contention. Murray sates that the

inequality that is seen in America is much worse than the inequality seen in Europe. Murray goes

on to say “American egalitarianism is all about rhetoric, not concrete measures to equalize

material well-being. The traditional unconcern of most Americans about economic inequality is

evidence of American moral backwardness” (Murray, 2013). Today’s modern equality issues

such as systematic racism, and countless others could also be considered evidence of American

moral backwardness.

detrimental to American Exceptionalism if not addressed.

still needs work. However, the definition of racism has changed over time just egalitarianism has

evolved. Whaples states “the old definition of racism was ‘individual conduct that is motivated

by either (a) antipathy to other races or (b) a belief that those races are inferior.’ However, the

New Egalitarians’ definition, which has grown to dominate thinking in many parts of academia,

is that racism equals ‘socially constructed, invisible systems conferring racial dominance’”

that grant racial dominance. An example of this would be white privilege. Kendall explains white

privilege as “an institutional, rather than personal, set of benefits granted to those of us who, by

race, resemble the people who hold the power positions in our institutions” (Kendall, 2006/2012,

p. 62). Essentially, simply because of the color of someone’s skin they have more access to

resources and power than people of color this includes economic, political, and social resources

and power (Kendall, 2006/2012). Unfortunately, American policy makers “are largely

unconcerned with recapturing the original conception of equality. There is no profit to them in

telling the American public what they cannot have” (Harrigan & Yonk, 2017, p. 33).

Also, America promotes and preaches about unity, but in reality very little is actually

being done. The blatant ignorance of Americans when it comes to listening to the concerns and

problems of minority groups is only driving the country apart even further. Berray states “The

experiences that cannot, and should not, be easily subsumed into a single American melting pot”

backgrounds, and experiences of minority groups only fuels the racism and discrimination in this

country. America clearly has some work to do when it comes to recognizing and acknowledging

their faults in the racial divide and fixing what needs to be fixed in order to restore and maintain

peace in this country as well as its egalitarian image.

America has truly lost sight of what the Founding Fathers intended in terms of equality.

Exceptionalism. It will create a clear message to immigrants and other minority groups that

equality in not as much of a priority to American government if has not already. Also, in light of

the recent events concerning the riots in regard to police shooting unarmed African Americans it

would not be a stretch to say that the longer systematic racism goes unaddressed America may be

looking at another civil war. Tensions are already at an all-time high and will only continue to

increase as long as it is ignored and it is bound to eventually erupt. America has reached an

extremely intense political divide partially due to racial inequality. It is widely known that

egalitarianism today “is associated with the Left and with policies that see to equalize outcomes”

(Murray, 2013). As for the Right, they are known as the advocators and reason for the systematic

racism that Americans experience today. Left untreated, American Exceptionalism will lose its

egalitarian image because of the lack priority for equality and the lack of equal opportunity. If

establishment of America, but it also continues to be a relevant trait in modern America that has

but in recent years has faced some issues that need fixing in order to restore its once positive

egalitarian image. Egalitarianism became associated with American culture through the

intentional language of the Founding Fathers in the Declaration of Independence that promoted

equality amongst all Americans. This lead to America becoming a beacon of freedom,

opportunity, and a safe haven from the hardships that people from other countries faced.

secret that racism has plagued America and continues to do so today. While the true meaning of

egalitarianism and equality have changed, it is clear that the American government has lost sight

of the true intentions of the Founding Fathers concerning equality and has no intention of

correcting the issue that has continued to fester over the years. If the issue is left unaddressed, it

could have the potential to spark another civil war as tensions continue to rise. This is

detrimental to American Exceptionalism because America will no longer lay claim to its

egalitarian image due to the blatant ignorance of the American government. As they only seem to

fuel the problem by not making equality a priority. Without the equal opportunities for economic,

political, and social resources and power for minority groups and immigrants, America faces

losing part of exceptional title. It is truly imperative that the issue of racism and systematic

racism be addressed if America at all desires to maintain its egalitarian image.