But on another level, this distrust of Catholics stems from Locke's belief that they were unfree people. They were subservient to the Catholic Church and they were subservient to the local authorities and political bosses, so the argument went. The fear was that they would bring their unfree ways of doing things with them, corrupting good political institutions and ruin things for those who are truly free. In many ways this idea carries into the present on contemporary debates on immigration. Not coincidentally the immigrant groups that have received the most attention and controversy, past and present, have been from Catholic countries or regions--Ireland, Italy, and now Latin America. So that problems like the mafia for example were believed to be directly caused by the Italians lack of political freedom and dependence on local power brokers for protection and advancement. As recently as the 1960s when John F. Kennedy was running for President, conservatives warned that he would swear his allegiance to the Pope (The modern version of this is calling President Obama a Muslim).
How would you evaluate this claim that unfree people bring their unfree ways of doing things with them? If people come from a background that is not democratic is it harder for them to learn the ways of democratic political life?
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This is what we discussed in class. (lol) Here in U.S.A, we are free to vote and choose who we want to control our economic and political problems. Because of this, we believe we are free people, but those with such high religious views feel that their religion is the law of this country. Though, we are tolerate here, other countries do not want these religious views. In other country, we force our views and laws upon them by force. We change their political views because we think there's is unfair or just unjust. The older generation of democratic people will have problems with our politics, because they believe in a strict government or ruler. Pointing their "flaws" and comparing it to our "success" is just not right. Just think about it for one minute. What would happen if the Chinese government came to your country and forced it's views on you? Our political views isn't perfect, but every countries views isn't perfect as well. Just let them take care of themselves.
ReplyDeleteEach country has its own way of doing things, its own government with its own laws, culture, religion, traditions and ways of life. When people decide to leave their homelands in search of better economic, social or political, they find it very difficult to adapt to a new stage in their lives. They find it difficult to leave behind all their traditions and try to adapt to their new lives. This often tends to lead to serious conflicts. For example, the diversity of religions often becomes major clashes between religious groups. These clashes lead to fear in the population. I do not think it is difficult for those who do not come from democratic countries to adapt to a new style of government. Somehow or another, we decided to immigrate to these countries, whether because political or economical issues. In democratic countries, the people elect representatives who govern and manage their countries. We are free to take any decision we want. We just need to follow laws.
ReplyDeleteWhen people are not well educated and not open minded they tend to do things like in the old times. Therefore, throughout history we are going to see basically all kind of things happened over and over again. That is why we are here to study and learn the errors of our ancestors and to try to avoid them in a coming future. But looking more closely to this particular case people are going to learn and get use to a lot of different things as they get appose to them. When people come from an outside they have to be preparing themselves for any kind of changes. I know that religion have kept a lot of believer in their own little world and they still having a lot of power but it just matter of time as I said before because history can change and unfree people can turn to be the opposite.
ReplyDeleteI disagree and agree with the claim that unfree people would bring their unfree ways of doing things with them. Of course one who has lived a life of not being free will only know that way of life and only that, so yea they would bring that lifestyle with them! However, I do not believe that ALL of them would do that because maybe some recognize the type of lifestyle they were living(unfree lifestyle) was unjust and need to be changed.
ReplyDeleteI believe that people who do not come from a democratic background will have a harder time learning the ways of a democratic political lifestyle. When someone is not use to the life of a democratic, it will be harder for them to adapt and live that particular way.
I believe that if you are brought up a certain way then thats the only thing you know until someone opens your eyes to different ideas. Those who were brought up in a very religious way only see the way of there religion. That does not mean that they wont be willing to set aside a little their religion to grow. Everyone is able to learn new things it might be difficult if the only thing they know is their religion but it is possible.
ReplyDeleteI agree that unfree people would bring their unfree ways of doing things with them. However i believe that people do have the ability to change their beliefs once they are presented to a new form of government. To some people it might be difficult to change their life style especially those who are brought up with strong religious belief. But sooner or later people become aware of what is good to them and what is not. So they change their way of thinking. On the other hand people who come from a background that is not democratic it is harder for them to learn the ways of democratic political life but it does not mean that it is impossible. Once they are in a different place than the one they were born they have to adapt themselves to this new form of government.
ReplyDeleteI feel it's unfair to label those who are unfree as the same responsible for bringing anarchy to a society with their presence. In truth, those who live with a lower standard of life usually have less rules and morals, but that does not mean that they will stain a society with their way of living. Some people of the lowest ranks make differences in society, it just depends on the integrity and hunger inside of them. There is no way to change a person's way of life if they were raised upon it, but one who was once lawless can find ways to cope in a society with law.
ReplyDeleteWell in my opinion, those who do not usually come from a democratic society may not find it as difficult to adapt to it, but for instance lets say that one lives in a communist society in which they are constantly oppressed than it may be more difficult to cooperate with such a government. In addition,those who are labeled "unfree" would be an unfair justification due to the fact that it may be a way of living that they are already used to , but one can adapt to a society in which the law and themselves can work hand in hand.
ReplyDeleteIt is a fact that those who do not come from a democratic background, often bring their unfree ideas with them. They are just brought up in the "unfree" culture. However it is also true that these people do adapt themselves to the political lifestyle. For example, the country I am from, people have less rights as they have here in the united States. I remmeber how girls and boys at school used to sit separately but over here there isn't a difference in gender. Everyone is free of their will. So it is always not difficult to adjust to a different life style.
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