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Civil Disobedience Henry David Thoreau Analysis

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Douglas MacArthur once said, "Rules are mostly made to be broken...". While this does not directly apply to the ideology and practices of civil disobedience, it is most certainly incorporated into it. By its very definition, civil disobedience is, "the refusal to obey certain laws [that one sees to be unjust or oppressive]". The Constitution even says that the people can strike down the government and erect a new one if the aforementioned government is tyrannical. So this idea of passively protesting or peacefully resisting is ingrained into America, which is a prime example of a free society. However how does this ideal affect free society? Henry David Thoreau wrote his essay "Civil Disobedience" in 1848 and published it in 1849. In it, he criticized the government and strongly encouraged every american to not only do the same, but to also commit passive aggressive acts of defiance. As previously stated, every american has the right to do something about an unjust government. Thoreau recognized this, and expanded upon it. While he understands laws and rule purpose as keeping order, Thoreau also comprehends that if the law is to oppress or take away human rights, then the people must protect those right by breaking said law or laws. His essay would be very influential in the future of American history. Not …show more content…
Well not only does civil disobedience has a positive effect on a free society, it helps to foster one. If the people of a society cannot even at the very least openly oppose a government and its laws, then it is not free. Being free does not have to be a literal and physical sense, it can refer to one's ability to think, say, or do whatever one wants without causing anarchy. There is a fine line people must walk while practicing civil obedience. One must be able distinguish the breaking of unjust laws for the promotion of a free society, and the breaking of laws to promote chaos and

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