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The Great Divide
The Great Divide
While the Americans felt the need to protect their freedom and put the basis
of a Government that would protect their rights and liberties, the French, inspired by
the famous writer Jean Jacques Rousseau, believed in living in the social harmony
resulted from a state of nature of individual sovereign.
As for the idea of equality, the Americans considered it from the point of view
of the law, while for the French that was a version of freedom, but as freedom was
only collective, for them being free and equal meant being in sync with the masses.
Conclusion
These were among the most important events in human history. Every time
we grapple with a public issue, whether its how far the NSA should go in spying or
whether the welfare state should be larger or smaller, we are still debating the
fundamental concepts that first exploded on the world scene over 200 years ago.
To sum up, the spirit of the two Revolutions is still an important influence on a
lot of different levels. People not only commemorate those who fought for their
countries and who became extraordinary leaders, but look back on this events with
celebration. In my view, that is a sign of progress and prosperity, even though it
may not be obvious due to present-day difficulties (poverty, bad leadership from the
part of some presidents or governments). I reckon this prosperity find its evidence
on a more ideological level rather than practical one. For instance, the legal systems
may suffer changes and improvements, but the aim behind every change is
correlating the ideologies that date back to these revolutions with the reality of the
modern society and needs.