The Values of Liberalism

             How has the lack of a feudal tradition in the United States affected American life?.

             The lack of feudalism in America has affected the way American people understand and view life in many ways. Louis Hartz argued that the lack of feudalism--and the lack of a revolution against feudalism--has made Americans view their liberalism as a "Natural Process", it was always there and Americans never knew any other system. He argued that Americans, due to this "Natural Liberalism," have become a Nation in which its citizens are extremely individualistic. With the idea that everybody is responsible for their own things in life, some may be less fortunate than others, and that everybody feels that they have the same opportunities to succeed than everyone else. This individualistic approach is seen in every aspect of American life, from the Constitution to the color of lipstick one may choose to wear to the Candidate one may choose to vote for, and has become a trademark of American culture Internationally.

             The way the Government handles certain aspects of social life--as heath care and voting--and the way the public reacts to it, is a very clear way to observe the individualistic "do it yourself" approach that Americans have on social consciousness. As opposed to Europe, where feudalism was present and where a strong Socialist mentality still exists, this country doesn"t have a National health insurance program, in which every citizen is covered under a National insurance plan. This is a great example of the "do it yourself" attitude because many people feel that they shouldn"t be paying the insurance for the people who haven"t "earned" it, that they don"t "deserve" to have insurance because they haven"t earned it. These people feel that it is up to each individual to get their own insurance because, since everybody has the same opportunities, everybody should be able to get insurance.

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