Lao Tzu Oligarchies

Government is an essential part of civilization in modern and historic times. This crucial element of society has been observed in different forms. There are three main systems of governments: autocracy, oligarchy, and democracy. Which system a government belongs to is determined by who hold the sovereignty, meaning who has the supreme power and authority (“Sovereignty”). This leads to there being major differences between autocracies, oligarchies, and democracies.

There is no such thing as an ideal government. Every form of government has its flaws and strengths. In 1776 the Declaration of Independence was signed by our founding fathers, which declared independence from Britain. Thomas Jefferson, the founding father who wrote the declaration, had a set point of view of government and wanted to perfect it as much as possible. It was not all about government and its power to him. Jefferson believed that the people had rights over the government and that having a form of government was a necessity to prevent tyranny.

The reason why the Declaration of Independence is so persuasive is that Jefferson uses deductive arguments, which includes examples of Britain's wrong doings, which gives the person reading the document a chance to see exactly why they are breaking from Great Britain. One of the strongest deductive arguments in the declaration is, “That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among men”. This means that any legitimate government is created to protect peoples' rights such as, “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”. Throughout the declaration Jefferson shows how Great Britain is not protecting their rights, but interfering with them. For example, he states how the king keeps sending over soldiers and expects the people to house and feed them. How would you feel if the government just placed a stranger in your home and told you he could eat your hard-earned food? These soldiers were also allowed to disobey the laws in the colonies and not be punished for them. This is not what you call protecting peoples' rights; it is more like invading them. Another very strong deductive argument in this document is, “deriving their just power from the consent of the governed”. This means any power or authority that a government has is given to them by the consent of the people, but this right like many others was abused too. For instants, Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson once said, “When the people fear the government there is tyranny, when the government fears the people there is liberty.” Thomas Jefferson believed the best government was the one that governs the least . Jefferson stressed how a small government with limited powers is most likely to leave the people alone and have them enjoy the Blessings of Liberty. Furthermore, Thomas Jefferson was a man who had numerous accomplishments in his life. He was the author of the Declaration of Independence, author of the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom, founder of the University of Virginia, and the third President of the United States. His strict interpretation of the Constitution was due to his belief that the charter was designed to provide the people with a say in governmental affairs. Mr. Jefferson won the approval from the working class because he fought for them and not the powerful interests of the wealthy. Although Jefferson was a vocal and active leader in the rights of states, his recommendation of the Embargo Act and his support of the Non-Intercourse act resulted in his failure as the Commander In Chief.

Each type of government holds different views as to the role the leaders and citizens should perform in their country .Different types of government include, oligarchy where the government is run by the best leaders, Tyranny, where they believe those in power should have complete control over its people. In the United States of America, we believe in democracy, rule by the majority. The main problem with our type of government is maintaining it. Our government and its citizens have lost sight of their roles and responsibilities, in government.

In his document, The Declaration of Independence (1776), Jefferson and the representatives in the general congress proclaim that because all men possess unalienable rights, and due to the transgressions committed by the repressive British King against the people of the 13 colonies, the colonists should be entitled to dissolve all allegiance to the crown of Great Britain, and engender a new nation that “[has] full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do”(4). Jefferson supports this proclamation by enumerating the rights of people when both facing and not facing a corrupt government, distinguishing the copious actions of King George

Representative Democracy – the citizens choose a smaller group to represent them, make laws, and govern on their behalf, but the people remain the source of the government’s authority.

Thomas Jefferson's ideals and beliefs were derived from a deep regard for life, liberty, and freedom. His concept of individual freedoms strongly disagreed with the notion of a "guided republic" which he believed concentrated a great deal unchecked power among a few people. This could have the potential of tyrannical government that might suppress personal freedoms of any kind especially those of religion, which Jefferson feels very strongly felt should be protected. After fighting hard to rid America of British domination, Jefferson was determined to create a government that was responsible to, and derived its powers from, a free people. As the writer of the Declaration of Independence and the Virginia Statute for

In order for something occur, generally there must be something that predates that occurrence. This rule applies to politics as well, for if a government has a particular characteristic, there must be a reason behind it. One cannot simply make a good government out of thin air, without having reason or an idea on how to achieve the end goal of a good government. I still believe a good government is one that sustains itself, adapts to the times in which it lives, protects itself and its citizenry from threats, and reflects what works for the society it is ruling. There is hesitation to use specifics, and for a good reason. Governments over time share very little in characteristics, but they do share governmental needs. Most needs boil down

In the Declaration Of Independence, Thomas Jefferson condones rebellion when a leader's power is being used in a way that is harmful to the people. He believes that the government has a responsibility to it’s people. He is justifying rebellious actions against the abuse of the King of Great Britain, and removing the negative connotation associated with it. He addresses this through logos, negative diction, and ethos.

During the time leading up to July 4th, 1776, the colonies were ruled by King George III. Tyranny took hold of the colonies until Thomas Jefferson created The Declaration of Independence. In this document Jefferson stated numerous grievances against the king and depicted those hardships that the colonies experienced under his rule. Historians have come to debate whether these accusations were true or exaggerated. Many historical events demonstrate how these grievances had a negative effect on the colonies. Many of the colonies felt that laws were passed to benefit King George III without considering the needs of the colonies.

On July 4, 1776, in Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson wrote a declaration of the colonies’ independence and separation from England. To approve or deny the “Declaration of Independence” is presented to the Second Continental Congress. Jefferson declares that the colonists deserve “unalienable rights” and that the colonists should be able to “throw off” any government that displays “absolute tyranny.” This document leads the way for the formation of the new “independent states”, where colonists can find “their safety and happiness.” Therefore, Jefferson persuades the colonists to join him in the separation from Britain to claim their rights and accuses King George as a tyrant.

“Vigor of government is essential to the security of liberty”(Hamilton). Alexander Hamilton(1755-1804) was a prominent founding father and wrote a collection of essays with James Madison and John Jay called the Federalist Papers. Hamilton believed in a strong central government, and wrote these essays to persuade the ratification of the Constitution. Historically, Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson( were fierce opponents in politics with having completely different visions for the future of America, they agreed on the central goal of government. In The Declaration of Independence (DOI), Jefferson’s goal was to persuade his british readers that the American colonies were separating from the British Empire, and that the colonists had no choice. In The Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson challenges his audience’s beliefs through the use of persuasive techniques.

In Aristotle's Politics, he focuses much on the regimes of an oligarchy and of a democracy. Democracies exists when the free and poor, being a majority, have authority to rule, and have an equal share in the city. Oligarchies exists when the few wealthy and better born have authority and grant benefits in proportion to a person's wealth (1280a:10-30;1290a:5-10).

Aristotle identifies three models of government or regimes: first, the regime ruled by one person; second, the regime ruled by a few, and the regime ruled by many. Each of the three categories has two subcategories depending on the interests each regime serves, which are either the good of all or private interests.