How does Thoreau feel about democracy?
In “Civil Disobedience” Thoreau not only calls for resistance to immoral and unjust government actions, he also criticizes the foundations of representative democracy — majority rule, voting, and representation.
What criticisms of representative democracy does Thoreau raise in civil disobedience?
What criticisms of representative democracy does Thoreau raise in “Civil Disobedience”? In “Civil Disobedience” Thoreau not only calls for resistance to immoral and unjust government actions, he also criticizes the foundations of representative democracy — majority rule, voting, and representation.
Which of these did Henry Thoreau criticize?
Resistance to Civil Government
What is an unjust action?
If you describe an action, system, or law as unjust, you think that it treats a person or group badly in a way that they do not deserve. The attack on Charles was unjust. Synonyms: unfair, prejudiced, biased, wrong More Synonyms of unjust.
What conditions make a law unjust?
An unjust law is a code that a numerical or power majority group compels a minority group to obey but does not make binding on itself. This is difference made legal. By the same token, a just law is a code that a majority compels a minority to follow and that it is willing to follow itself.
What is King’s claim about unjust laws?
King’s supporting claim is “[a]n unjust law is a code that the majority inflicts on a minority that is not binding on itself” (par. 14). It could be paraphrased as, “an unjust law is a rule that the majority makes the minority follow, even though the majority does not have to obey this rule.
What is the definition of unjust?
1 : characterized by injustice : unfair. 2 archaic : dishonest, faithless.
What are the two types of laws King defines?
“There are two types of laws, those that are just and those that are unjust. A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust.
What is the main idea of Letter From Birmingham Jail?
It says that people have a moral responsibility to break unjust laws and to take direct action rather than waiting potentially forever for justice to come through the courts. Responding to being referred to as an “outsider”, King writes: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”