Tuesday, December 24, 2019

A Woman s Name Of The Kopp Chronicles - 1314 Words

Chapter One February 23, 1843, 10 years before the events of An Immigrant American, Volume 1 of the Kopp Chronicles. Suddenly, the door of the carriage flung open, as it pulled up to the doors of the Mannheim Palace on an early and cold February morning in 1843. â€Å"Karolina, I am so glad you are here!† A young woman with brown disheveled hair said frantically as she burst into tears. â€Å"I thought you would never get here. I don’t know what to do with my hair, and my mother needs help with the wedding, and they will be here any moment! Please hurry and come with me!† She sobbed and ran toward the doors of the palace. Karolina Sorg, a pretty seventeen-year-old girl, and her mother Theresia surprised at the sudden stop of the carriage and the loud outburst quickly recovered. They stepped out of the carriage and followed her, breaking with all proper decorum as they entered the palace. The woman’s name was Princess Marie Amelie Elisabeth Karoline of Baden and that evening she was marrying the Marquess of Hamilton, son of the Duke of Hamilton. The previous day, her mother had sent an urgent message to Theresia to come to the palace and help with last minute wedding preparations. She also suggested Theresia bring her daughter with her to help the princess. Karolina and Theresia traveled overnight by carriage and by train all the way to Mannheim from the small village of Sulz, in the Grand Duchy of Baden, a distance of over 160 kilometers. When they arrived early in the morning at the

Monday, December 16, 2019

The Mystery of Mba Essay That No One Is Discussing

The Mystery of Mba Essay That No One Is Discussing Obviously, to craft a really compelling essay, applicants must also display a robust and specific comprehension of how Wharton's program would permit them to accomplish their targets. The MBA thesis has to be well written, dependent on scholarly research and have to be backed by verifiable data. Some schools ask you to also speak about why you're interested in their precise program, as part of the very same prompt. For instance, if the company school requested a DOC, that is what you need to send. Business schools ask for essays for a number of reasons, all which help admissions committees determine whether you've got the abilities and traits to be successful in an MBA program. There are a few schools with admissions staff that genuinely appear to relish creating unusual questions. MBA admissions committees wish to be in a position to tell that you've got the qualities that are essential to be successful in business school, su ch as leadership abilities and integrity. First, they want to see how you write. Mba Essay - Overview Selecting a business to do your essay writing online is not ever an effortless task. After you inform us about all of the paper information, we'll begin searching for an appropriate writer for your paper. Is it true that your mba essay at the same time you require mba application essay or mba. Your application essay is a distinctive chance to assist you stick out from the crowd. Whether you opt to compose an essay or prepare a four slide presentation, have a step back from the special format and consider the question strategically. The previous option, a personal goal I wish to accomplish is is the sole option that limits you to a personal reaction. Nevertheless, there's one essential difference. 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Sunday, December 8, 2019

Fetishism Essay Example For Students

Fetishism Essay FetishismFetishism is a perversion that is found, primarily in men, in whichgenital discharge is impossible without the presence of their fetish. A fetish,however can be a variety of things, yet there are three basic types of fetishes:an inanimate object (e.g. womens clothing, shoes, gloves, underwear), a part ofthe human body (e.g. foot, hand, hair, legs, breasts), or something odd such as,leather, rubber, the touch of velvet. Some fetishes, as observed by Freud, maynot even be visible to the other person at all. In one case a patient of Freudwas obsessed with the shine on the noses of the women he was attracted to. Withregards to specific fetishes such as that the fetishist usually needs to look at,touch, or smell during or preparing for the sexual act. In some cases just thesight of the fetish could result in an orgasm. We will write a custom essay on Fetishism specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now The Freudian view of fetishes changed over the years. His early viewstated that fetishism was a result of some childhood fantasy or exposure thatresulted in the fetish but he later changed the view. Freud later theorizedthat the fetish was a fear of castration on the part of the male. He believedthat the association with the penis to the female reproductive organ was areminder to men that castration is possible. This anxiety would cause thefetishist to associate his or her sexual desire with another body part or object. By doing this he or she can link sexual experience with another part andforget about infertility, humiliation, or anxiety. Usually the desire is linkedclosely to the genitals, it could be something seen when the genitals were firstviewed, such as, underwear, or something associatively linkable to theexperience (e.g. fur, which could be symbolic of pubic hair). In some cases kleptomania has been considered a fetish. Many fetishistsdevelop a compulsive urge to obtain their cherished articles by any meanspossible. They may become sexually aroused when then peep on women changingor steal womens undergarments from their homes. The risk involved whilestealing usually increases the sexual excitation. Pyromania has been givensimilar interpretation. Since fire is associated with passion the arsonist, iffire is his fetish, may reach orgasm by watching the fire that he has started. In one case the fear of being caught was best summed up by a patient of Dr. Grant who discussed his findings in a psychology journal in 1953. I havesuffered a great deal of anxiety during my visits to public places where it iseasy to watch womens shoes and legs. In addition to the guilt I feel, there isthe danger of detection. Plainclothesmen have haunted me more than once, and Ihave been questioned on suspicion of loitering.Fetishism itself seems to be the result of two major sources. First,the fetish may be associated with a particular sexual object or style that ispossessed by someone who is sexually attractive. In this case it is aparticular perfume of hairstyle that the fetishist has seen or smelled on asexually attractive individual that would cause him or her to be attracted tothe same article later. Second, there is the insecure man who, for fear ofrejection, uses the object to substitute the real thing. Because he can nothave her lock of hair he generalizes his search so that any lock of hair will do. His original natural interest soon becomes deviation to his new hobby. For the most part, the fetishists that engage in illegal or pervertedacts to fulfill their fetish usually fight the impulse to so it but find itirresistible. The connection between the action and sexual satisfaction isusually not understood but if it is the fetishist becomes embarrassed or ashamed. .uf95e0b561ad9b06e5f3f51b69559d10c , .uf95e0b561ad9b06e5f3f51b69559d10c .postImageUrl , .uf95e0b561ad9b06e5f3f51b69559d10c .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uf95e0b561ad9b06e5f3f51b69559d10c , .uf95e0b561ad9b06e5f3f51b69559d10c:hover , .uf95e0b561ad9b06e5f3f51b69559d10c:visited , .uf95e0b561ad9b06e5f3f51b69559d10c:active { border:0!important; } .uf95e0b561ad9b06e5f3f51b69559d10c .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uf95e0b561ad9b06e5f3f51b69559d10c { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .uf95e0b561ad9b06e5f3f51b69559d10c:active , .uf95e0b561ad9b06e5f3f51b69559d10c:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uf95e0b561ad9b06e5f3f51b69559d10c .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uf95e0b561ad9b06e5f3f51b69559d10c .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uf95e0b561ad9b06e5f3f51b69559d10c .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uf95e0b561ad9b06e5f3f51b69559d10c .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .uf95e0b561ad9b06e5f3f51b69559d10c:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uf95e0b561ad9b06e5f3f51b69559d10c .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uf95e0b561ad9b06e5f3f51b69559d10c .uf95e0b561ad9b06e5f3f51b69559d10c-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uf95e0b561ad9b06e5f3f51b69559d10c:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Consider the treatment in any one text of spiritua EssayThe treatment for severe cases of fetishism is to try and help thefetishist alter his reactions to the desired object through insight andreasoning. When the asphyxiation is superficial or recently developed theprocedure is quick whereas if it is a result of a personality disturbance, long-term treatment is usually required. Fetishism, anthropologically, can apply to a form of belief andreligious practice in which supernatural attributes are given to inanimateobjects. In some cases it is a figure carved out of stone, clay, or wood, inwhich the believers will have minor ceremonies revolving around the object. In some religious instances the fetish is attached to a specific place, such as,a tree, rock, or a river. In many cases, the belief becomes similar to thesexual fetishes explained earlier where the believers become unaware of thesymbolism that the article has rather they begin to worship the object itself. In this situation the fetishism can be considered as something like idolatry. In conclusion, there seems to be two basically distinctive sides tofetishism, those who condone it and those who feel it is a sexual perversionwhen it gets out of hand. A publicly published article on the Internet by ananonymous author, whose fetish was bestiality, the desire to engage in sexualrelations with animals, best sums up the side of the fetishists, this is thepain of being different, shunned by society and the self appointed moralspolice. Those who simply dont understand, or they just dont want tounderstand are included in that category. Bibliography1. What is a Zoophile?. Ananamous. Excerpt from Fur of the Beast,posted on the Internet, site:http://www.av.qnet.com/stasya/whtiszoo.htm2.Fetishism. Microsoft Encarta 96 Encyclopedia. 1993-1995Microsoft Corp. 3.Fetishism. Encyclopedia of Human Behavior. Robert M. Goldenson, Ph.D. 1970, Garden City, NY. 4.Fetishism. Encyclopedia of Psychoanalysis. Ludwig Eidelberg,M.D. 1968, The Free Press, NY. Social Issues

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Transcendentalism in Civil Disobedience Essay Example

Transcendentalism in Civil Disobedience Essay Dannheisig 1 Jan-Hendrik Dannheisig Susanne Hamscha, M. A. Re(dis)covering America: Emerson, Thoreau, and American Democracy 10 April 2012 Transcendentalism in Civil Disobedience Thoreaus Politics of Individuality and Nature Dannheisig 2 Contents Introduction 1. Transcendentalism a. Nature b. Introspective Conscience and Politics 2. Political Individualism a. Ethical and Political (In)justice b. Critique of Democracy Conclusion Bibliography 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Dannheisig 3 Introduction Henry David Thoreau was part of a movement called American Transcendentalism. To illuminate Thoreaus understanding of democracy, political action and justice this paper will focus on the influence transcendentalism had on his ideas and ideals in his essay Resistance to Civil Government better known as Civil Disobedience. Mostly found in his naturalist writings like Walden, The Maine Woods or his journals, Thoreaus transcendental influences shape his political writings just as much. In Thoreaus thinking there is an underlying dichotomy between nature and artificial social constructs, like governments or churches. This dichotomy is the basis for his distrust in majority rule and mindless compliance with laws by the public. Thoreau focuses on an individualized responsibility for ones actions by declaring only introspectively found truths a sufficient basis for ones conscience and therefore ones actions. This is where transcendentalism is found in his argumentation. The transcendental approach to all of reality is through introspection, finding knowledge and truth in ourselves instead of in empirical experience or law. We will write a custom essay sample on Transcendentalism in Civil Disobedience specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Transcendentalism in Civil Disobedience specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Transcendentalism in Civil Disobedience specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Thoreau incorporates this idea of introspective conscience into a framework of political realities, like slavery in the United States at the time or the Mexican-American War. This application of a highly philosophical understanding of reality onto complex political problems during the time is the reason Civil Disobedience received so much attention. Thoreau makes the case for more individual reflection and his stances are strongly critical of majority rule. He questions the legitimacy of governments that create unjust laws, acceptance of slavery being the prime example of injustice. He believed that humans are innately good and that only society, with its artificial social constructs, corrupts them. In the following chapters I will show how transcendental influence is the underlying for all his politically crass positions and analyze their implications. Dannheisig 4 1. Transcendentalism Transcendentalism is a philosophy of individualism and individualism is the ground of American thought. 1 The New England movement of American Transcendentalism, led by Ralph Waldo Emerson, arose in the 1830s and 1840s, as a response to cultural and societal developments towards materialism and intellectualism. Transcendentalism can be linked to Romanticism in its disdain of rationalization of nature. Critical of industrialization both movements focus on reorientation towards the natural experience, unaltered by societal ambitions like greed or, to create norms and rules for wholesome living. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote in his influential essay The Transcendentalist in 1842: The Transcendentalist adopts the whole connection of spiritual doctrine. He believes in miracle, in the perpetual openness of the human mind to new influx of light and power; he believes in inspiration, and in ecstasy. He wishes that the spiritual principle should be suffered to demonstrate itself to the end, in all possible applications to the state of man, without the admission of anything unspiritual; that is, anything positive, dogmatic, personal. Thus, the spiritual measure of inspiration is the depth of the thought, and never, who said it? Transcendentalism contrasts materialism and idealism. Losing faith in their identity many of the growing elite saw developments of brutal expansion, class stratification by means of industrialization, urbanization and the consequentially following conflict as unbearable and not in coherence with their beliefs. The right to rule, politically and culturally, given to the elite by presumptions of racism and classism, seemed outdated by upcoming working-class radicalism. 2 The civil commotion during this period of economic transition towards a regime of industrialization and away from traditional Jeffersonian agrarianism gave way to social movements that rethought the focus the American society should concentrate on. One of these social movements was Transcendentalism. Transcendentalists devoted their energy towards the conquest of cultural authority and they achieved it in many ways. The Transcendental Club, as the public referred to the gathering organized by Emerson and Thoreau included influential literary participants like Elizabeth Peabody, Margaret Fuller, Orestes Brownson, William Henry Channing and occasionally Nathaniel Hawthorne (who himself was not a transcendentalist). They defined themselves as a group of liberal minded individuals who share the common believe that the way to establish principles of human brotherhood and democratic equality was to 1 2 Newman, 35 Newman, 39 Dannheisig 5 reestablish ones individual relationship to the divinely ordained laws of nature. 3 The disconnect in culture and socioeconomic conditions between workers and capitalists was so troubling to this group that different utopian experiments grew out of this discontent, one of them being Thoreaus residence in Walden Pond, another being Brook Farm. This was a project started by George and Sophia Ripley, to create a community where manual work and leisure would be equally sha red and therefore create a peaceful and balanced community where everyone could choose to do the work he or she saw the most pleasure in, therefore destroying some of the unnatural structures society had implemented them with, like division of labor. The project was financially unsuccessful and eventually failed when some of the buildings burned down. 4 The Transcendentalist movement did not have one direction that it followed but was by definition only in agreement over the fact that nature is the remedy to societal disfiguration. To transcend societal restraints means to refocus on what the real and natural behaviors and convictions are. The easiest way to understand what is natural to a Transcendentalist is to comprehend what is not. To Emerson secularization and the development of fascination with science and the intellectualism that grew with it bore dangers to the individual and its personal formation. A development away from the individual experience of ones surroundings and towards the study of empiric studies would create structures of knowledge that are unquestioned by its students who believe that only what is written is true. Roles imposed on the individual by society and its institutions impeded individual expression and freedom, restricted choice, and ultimately resulted in self-alienation. 5 A lot of the influence that formed transcendentalist thought came from Romanticism. The understanding that sense is more important than intellect and passion more important than reason was at the core of Romanticism. The natural form of behavior could only be found in absence of societal reasoning. This train of thought goes back to Kant, who argued that knowledge was found in the subjectiveness of human thinking, rather than in the objects of experience. Anything valuable to know is what an individual has personally and subjectively encountered and actual knowledge is only formed through this subjective perception. 6 3 4 Newman, 42 Crowe, 161 5 Bingham, 19 6 Bingham, 20 Dannheisig 6 In the following chapters I will elaborate what is meant by nature and use examples from Emersons and Thoreaus writing to explain their different approaches. I will then continue to explain what introspective conscience entails and how this translates into Thoreaus politics. a. Nature Nature, in a way, is just as much a metaphorical concept as it is an actual reality when it comes to Transcendentalism. Metaphorically, nature is the absence of the negative effects of society. Literally, nature is the physical world surrounding us, and moreover life itself. Emerson wrote in his influential essay Nature, which basically brought Transcendentalism to life: When we speak of nature in this manner, we have a distinct but most poetical sense in the mind. We mean the integrity of impression made by manifold natural objects. It is this which distinguishes the stick of timber of the wood-cutter, from the tree of the poet. He defines nature as the metaphorical influence the literal impressions of nature have on a person. Nature is all that is separate from us, all which Philosophy distinguishes as the NOT ME, that is, both nature and art, all other men and y own body [ ]. 7 Nature is the source of influence, where the individual finds truths. Emerson goes on to explain that physical laws of nature translate to laws of moral nature as he sees God in nature. Thoreau was highly influenced by Emerson and the essays Nature and The American Scholar essentially encouraged Thoreau to his stay at Walden Pond and his continuous transcendental endeavors. An other influence on Thoreau was Rousseau. Rousseau was interested in the natural man, meaning the individual without influences from society. Both, Thoreau and Rousseau agreed that in a natural state, humans were good and only society altered that characteristic. 8 To study and understand the laws of nature and to experience it will, in Thoreaus understanding assist anyone in individual self-realization and thus create social-change. His analysis of the natural surroundings of his house in Walden allow the conclusion that Thoreau believed the understanding of natural behaviors were essential to a functioning human society, more so than the modern institutions the Transcendentalists so strongly despised. 7 8 Emerson, 80 Bingham, 21 Dannheisig 7 b. Introspective Conscience and Politics The morality Thoreau presents in Civil Disobedience arises from the higher law that he can find in nature. As I explained above, only in an environment of natural subjectivity, when societal pressures and ideas have been lifted, man can return to his natural goodness. To get to this point a fair amount of distance from society is necessary. This is what Thoreau was practicing when he went to Walden Pond and this is where he wrote Civil Disobedience. In Thoreaus mind, the individual is responsible both for uncovering these higher laws of nature and for employing them to evaluate and direct his conduct. Disagreements and moral conflicts within a community of people living in accord with these laws are impossible: as nature is harmonized, so too will be the conscientious actions derived from natural observation. 9 Thoreau also explains that once an individual has discovered a moral truth about a subject, or as he would call it a natural law, he has to abide by it. In his view, to know of a moral or higher law creates an obligation to obey it. This can obviously entail political action as many a truth can form a situation that does not apply to it, and therefore needs to be altered. Thoreau is, however, widely received as a passive theorist when it comes to political action. In Civil Disobedience he explains that It is not a mans duty, as a matter of course, to devote himself to the eradication of any, even the most enormous wrong; he may still properly have other concerns to engage him; but it is his duty, at least, to wash his hands of it, and, if he gives it no thought longer, not to give it practically his support. This argumentation basically states that anyone can claim moral high ground as long as they do not take part in the crime or injustice. There is, however, a problem with this reasoning as ones experienced liberties and socioeconomic circumstances might be enabled by the unjust system. If Thoreaus position as a scholar and free citizen is supported by a regime that also assists in slavery, is he not taking part in that injustice? And, as we have seen above, is he not obliged to obey the natural law and therefore take action against the injustice? 10 Thoreaus conviction on his introspectively found truths, which he states include slavery as unjust, therefore create a moral obligation. But does it also create a political obligation for action towards change? In the next chapters I will illustrate how this quagmire between moral and political obligations plays into his definitions of justice and Thoreaus strong critique of democracy. 9 10 Jenco, 359 Turner, 450 Dannheisig 8 2. Political Individualism Thoreau sees Americans as shortsighted. The political arena is thoughtless and ill-considered as it is controlled by processes and structures that support immediate reaction over contemplation due to power struggles and election cycles. This regime of fast-paced decision-making is the norm and all the laws that come through this system are part of this norm. Since, however, this system is democratically elected it possesses legitimacy to rule. Thoreau questions this legitimacy when he declares that righteous behavior can only come from individual introspection and not from established laws and norms. When Thoreau decides not to pay his taxes because of his inner conviction that he cannot be a part of an injustice (in this case, supporting a government financially that assists in slavery) he breaks the law, but he also breaks the norm by questioning and evaluating a governments performance through personal perception and then acting on these evaluations. While Thoreaus writings are meant to influence others into adopting the transcendental approach towards morality, his concepts overall aim is to improve the individual instead of the community. Individualists main concern is for themselves, so that their opinions and behaviors are steady and consistent. This inner behavior however, can translate into external actions, like enabling freedoms for others and effect reform. The individualists conscience is formed introspectively but he, generally speaking but also Thoreau specifically, has principles that are generalizable and also conform to universal values and political ideals. 11 Overall, Thoreau despises political conformity but values liberty and justice and conforms to them, if present. His intention was to stand outside institutions and illustrate how conscience has consequences but not necessarily take part in the political games because he, as mentioned above, disliked the political arena and its continuous structures, to say the least. Transcendental influence can strongly be identified here as the desire to create your own structures and not only continue the work of precursors is one of the main ideas proposed by Emerson in his speech American Scholar. Not only does Thoreau see his moral obligations not constructed by laws and societal norms but by his introspection, but he also does not see the 11 Rosenblum, 83 Dannheisig 9 political realm as the utmost important arena. His individualism goes so far that the improvement of himself actually becomes much more important to him than the transformation of society. 2 a. Ethical and Political (In)justice To Thoreau there was one ultimate sin: slavery. This sin is assisted by the government that therefore creates instant need to be acted disobedient against. To understand why slavery is sinful we can look back at Emerson again, who, stating that once societal influences have been stripped off an individual he or she will live by simple moral guidelines that are only con nected to natures laws. For this to happen, though, a person needs freedom: freedom from sin and freedom from oppression. Emerson disliked all systems of oppression and his main objective was the proliferation of individual mental emancipation. Thoreau, also agreeing with the principles of individual liberty and being a supporter of self-discovery of higher laws after stopping to participate in sinful behavior, logically opposed slavery. It has to be taken into account that this abolitionist sentiment in the transcendental movement was not necessarily coupled with the believe that all African-Americans should have the same rights or even be a bigger part of American society. The strongest cases for Thoreau against slavery was the sin a slave-holder performed, which kept him from introspection, as well as the limits imposed on slaves which kept them from experiencing nature without constraints. Basically anything that kept an individual from experiencing nature is ethically unjust. Political injustice, for Thoreau, is something else. Thoreau was the one that coined the term the government is best that governs least and his thoughts on governmental systems can be described in a variety of ways from libertarian to individual anarchist. 3 Drawing back to Transcendentalism, individual experience of nature forms natural laws, which a person has to obey. Any form of government that imposes different laws than the ones already in place by the process of introspection therefore acts oppressive and therefore unjust. 12 13 Bennett, 5 Jenco, 381 Dannheisig 10 b. Critique of Democracy Having established in the chapters above that Thoreaus conviction of individual con sciousness is paramount to his understanding of a functioning society and taking into account that only he subjective relationship one has with nature can lead to the discovery of natural laws, or morals, one can easily deduct that democracy is not a form of government that works well in this mindset, or most forms of government for that matter. Democracy is majority rule. This by itself already runs against the idea of Thoreaus disconnection of widely accepted norms. Any form of social construct that is agreed upon by the majority is unnatural by definition as it underlines the absence of uninfluenced experience. This questions Thoreaus compliance with democracy even before taking into account what he proposes in Civil Disobedience. In Civil Disobedience Thoreau explains the necessity of denying to pay a special tax for the funding of the Mexican-American War. Thoreau argues that he cannot be part of the evil that is the government that wants to go to war with Mexico to proliferate the slavery system. In denying to pay this tax, he commits a crime. This crime, taken only as an action by one highly moral person, is not a big deal. Thoreau knows the consequences of his action and therefore decides to impose his own values over the one governments therefore making a policy decision by claiming non-participation in one specific area of governance. By doing so he basically denies the democratic legitimacy of the government. If this behavior is acted out by all Americans then representative elections become unnecessary as every topic is decided by the public either sponsoring it financially or not. The implications can go even more dramatic as immediate underfunding of the government will lead to government shut down and therefore might induce instability and revolution. The term civil disobedience has a very positive and peaceful connotation today because civil rights leaders all over the world have applied it by redefining it as peaceful protest and by abstaining from any evil doing. However, Thoreaus approach of refusing to pay taxes in a democratically elected government shows his prioritizing of the individual over the community. While any decision the group/community/society makes is vulnerable to civil disobedience, Thoreau argues that the natural laws are universal and in a world where everyone achieved introspection only the natural laws would be necessary. Dannheisig 11 Conclusion Transcendentalism runs through Thoreaus political thought like a silver lining. Every aspect of his argumentation in Civil Disobedience can be traced back to his understanding of what truth is. Thoreau believes that individual perception of nature is the answer to the hard transitions of economical regime change towards industrialization, enlightenment and slavery that challenged America during the mid-19th century. Thoreau approach towards these problems is through the act of civil disobedience, where one resists taking part in an evil deed acted out by a government. In his case he denies to pay a tax supporting an upcoming war that he doesnt agree with. This act of disobedience, can be seen as a show of discontent or as encouragement for revolution, depending on the depths you plan to theorize with. After analyzing the text thoroughly, my conclusion is that Thoreau was antidemocratic and protectionist about his local surroundings. His essay tries to explain truth and moral and its obligations in a comprehensive approach regarding everyone but it misses the opportunity for an explanation on how to realistically transform a society by these standards. If he had taken a bigger approach towards societal transition his work could have become much more influential as a political theory, as it already includes a social contract theory and recommendations for the size of a government. I will conclude this paper with a quote from Civil Disobedience that summarizes his tone, his political drive and his strains of militancy: Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also a prison. where the State places those who are not with her, but against her,– the only house in a slave State in which a free man can abide with honor. †¦ Cast your whole vote, not a strip of paper merely, but your whole influence. A minority is powerless while it conforms to the majority; it is not even a minority then; but it is irresistible when it clogs by its whole weight. If the alternative is to keep all just men in prison, or give up war and slavery, the State will not hesitate which to choose. 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