Please explain how throughout American history (since 1600), the
ideals of equality, liberty and democracy have been in constant
conflict and friction with the realities of material greed and power.

This question is very broad and opinionated, but I would like an
answer nonetheless.  I would like the answer not be completely
one-sided, but rather examine ?both sides of the coin.?  Since
American history spans over 400 years, I expect the answer to comprise
of examples throughout the entire history and NOT be partial to a
certain time period.  Please keep the answer between 400 and 600
words.

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Clarification of Question by quik4life-ga on 29 Apr 2005 10:20 PDT

Answer is needed ASAP.
The sooner the response, the bigger the tip.  I'm not good at posting
the dollar amount, but a good tip will be given.

Also, it doesn't really matter if question is "one sided", but I do
want to make sure it doesn't just deal with a specific time period
(i.e., 1950s-1990) but throughout the ENTIRE United States history.

Comments are also appreciated.

quik4life,
It looks like you are going to have to write the 400-600 words
yourself.  The question sounds too much like a homework assignment
(see FAQs).

I am not a researcher, and the following remarks are probably only
worth as much as you have to pay for them, namely nothing.


Is it fair to suggest that "the ideals of equality, liberty and
democracy" were not significant concepts in the 17th century in
America?  The settlers guided by religious beliefs were escaping
persecution in Europe.  In other areas, colonies were established on
British colonial principles, geographic expansion in the New World
within the political concepts of the old country.

Thomas Hobbe's "Leviathan" (1651) and John Locke's writings (after
1689) provided the philosophical base for the principles defined in
the Decl. of Independence and the Constitution,

You have understood that the question is opinionated, reeks of
socialist thinking that implies government control of economic
endeavors.
Adam Smith  ("The Wealth of Nations") and supporters of a free market
to this day do not see a "constant conflict and friction" between a
democratic political system and individual ambitions,
or maybe it is more accurate to say that a democratic system can
effectively control excessive "greed and power" by individuals
(monopolies) or groups (oligopolies), reining in the railroad and oil
"barons" in the late 19th and early 20th c.

Nuff said.  Better check out the details yourself;  I could be wrong.
And watch this space:  Someone may just prove it very quickly  :-(

myoarin

I appreciate your response.

This is NOT a homework assignment.  I know it sounds like it, but it's
not.  The only reason I suggested 400-600 words is because I wanted it
to be concise and made sure I got AT LEAST my $20 worth.

On that note, if someone can please add and extrapolate on myorain's
answer, it would be greatly appreciated.

If an answer is provided by Saturday 12:00pm EST (as some sort of an
answer is needed by Sunday) then a generous tip will be provided.

Thank you.