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Understanding American Democracy

Introduction

United States today has an unprecedented democratic system. This fledgling nation has only a little over 250 years of established has become the most powerful nation on earth. Religious commitment or policy, or even sexual orientation (this is more questionable) are the characteristics of choice and not that nothing can change - but if our democracies protect freedom of religion and politics, it, under certain conditions, are the unconditional rights, must be protected.

The Declaration of Independence of the United States, is the document which proclaims that all men are created equal and are endowed with an inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, so we have remained "united and indivisible" even under the worst circumstances (White, pp. 37). This instrument incorporates within it the aspirations and hopes of all its citizens. It is impossible in a brief letter to express the impact or content of this Bill of Rights and Freedoms, so you want to recommend to anyone with the possibility of taking the time to read it.

Discussion

In a constitutional democracy, everyone should be protected against the permanent temptation of public authorities subject them to limits on the life choices they can take. The judgment Minersville School District v. Gobitis the Supreme Court in 1940 made it possible to mandate the pledge of allegiance for all public school students, including Jehovah's Witnesses, who refuse to swear yet to anyone but God, seeing that as of the idolatry. In 1943, this obligation was prohibited, because of free speech protected by the First Amendment.

The judgment Minersville School District v. Gobitis in 1940, taken by the Supreme Court of the United States, was to examine the compatibility of the First Amendment on freedom of religion, of speech and press, with the obligation, in schools, to salute the flag and perform the Oath of Allegiance (Pledge of Allegiance). The Court ruled that schools could require students to make these bows. The cases involving Jehovah's Witnesses who saw the oath of allegiance as a form of idolatry, the Court held that the objective secular social cohesion and national, of patriotism, took precedence over freedom of religion. As the sole judge having opposed this decision, Harlan F. Stone, became Chief Justice of the Court, the verdict was overturned three years later in West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette. This case also involved the Jehovah's Witnesses, but the ...