Democracy

According to Abraham Lincoln, democracy refers to a government that belongs to the people, is formed by the public, and works for the people. It is a political system where the residents of a country rule either directly or not, but with the help of free and regular elections. In America, people have the right to vote for the head of the government and the legislature in what is referred to as representative democracy. A democratic system is characterized by federalism, division of powers, checks and balances, as well as the famous Bill of Rights. The “calculus” or economy of democracy refers to the rights of the minority and the majority in upholding democracy. Slavery has been used to explain what is meant by “calculus” of democracy by many historical leaders. You can read more historical essay samples on my blog here https://creative-essay-writers.net/

Throughout the American history, Lincoln and Douglas have held debates based on slavery and the separation of the union about the United States Constitution. Abraham Lincoln stated clearly his position concerning slavery proposing that the expansion of Illinois to Free Sates and new territories should not be allowed, and it should be abolished throughout the country. In his speech, he mentioned to the Republicans that slavery was immoral as well as socially and politically wrong. Slavery was an important issue because it had caused a lot of controversies between the Republicans and the Democrats. The separation between the North and the South facilitated slavery, where the North harbored the Free States, and the South supported the states in favor of slavery. As a result, Lincoln referred to the Constitution and its relation to slavery.

Lincoln was convinced that the fore fathers who wrote the Constitution did not insist so much on the topic of slavery and African-Americans. His belief was that slavery was supposed to cease in the distant future because the founding fathers were wise but lacked innovative thinking. According to him, slavery would have led to a non-peaceful and violent outcome in the world if it was not resolved. As a result, slavery would either end or expand across the fifty states of America. In his opinion, slavery would be mitigated by preventing its spreading into new territories and Free States without interfering with the already proclaimed slave states. He suggested that each state had a right to make its decision and not depend on the federal government.

Abraham Lincoln did not want to get involved in the abolition of slavery and he was hopeful that slavery would end in the distant future. His worries were centered on how to stop slavery and how to make it extinct throughout the country. In the matters of equality, Lincoln believed that every white man had equal rights. Therefore, the strategies that maintain equality were to be implemented in the new territories. In his speech, while contesting for the United States seat in Illinois, he argued that slave holders were to settle in the new territory along with those that opposed slavery. He agreed with Douglas that slaves did not have the same individual rights as everyone else, and that the liberties stated in the Declaration of Independence should have included such slaves.

In the speech to the Congress written by Abraham Lincoln in 1854 about slavery, he was against the belief that both blacks and whites shared the same right to enslave each other, and none of them had any superiority. He proved his claim using a theory that disapproved all the reasons for slavery that could be used against the whites in future. "You say A. is white, and B is black. It is color, then; the lighter, having the right to enslave the darker? Take care. By this rule, you are to be a slave to the first man you meet, with a fairer skin than your own”. He also used the same theory to respond to the argument that whites are intellectually superior to blacks. The Dred Scott case initiated much controversy, and when responding to it, Lincoln expressed his disapproval of the decision, but did not want to interfere. The court had over-ruled its decisions, and there was a realization that it was necessary to abide by the laws as well as possess the ability and legislative power to change.

The Emancipation Proclamation brought forth Lincoln’s view that war to save the Union could be successful by promoting the freedom of the slaves in the Confederacy. It also presented him with the opportunity and right to recruit African-American men to serve in the armed forces. Even though the Proclamation did not achieve much, African-Americans still gained another civil right in the Union. In his inaugural speech, he was vigilant in fighting for African-American freedom. Alexis de Tocqueville also contributed towards the idea of democracy in America. He stated that the language was important for democracy and considered the jury as a political institution. The language used in law determines the power of democratization. The jury held in his hands the power to end slavery and promote equality depending on the language. He was of the opinion that America offered the most advanced example of equality in action. The power of democratization rested in American individualism where every citizen was to be assimilated with the whole population.

In conclusion, the “calculus” of economy refers to the rights of the majority and minorities in a country. Frederick Douglass brought forth the issue of incalculability where the slaves did not have equal rights as other individuals. He was supported by Lincoln (Barker). Democracy in America was facilitated by the end of slavery, which was stopped by the civil war. Abraham Lincoln was a decisive person when it came to abolishing slavery and promoting democracy in America.