Declaration of Independence: Principles of Limited Government, Inalienable Rights, and Equality

The declaration of independence is the first statement of introducing fundamental change for the thirteen American colonies. Combining the influence of Rousseau’s individualism as well as a social contract, the declaration of Independence established the concept ‘no man has authority over his fellow’ (Thompson). Hence, the declaration established the first ruling principles of law including limited government, inalienable rights, and equality within world history.

The primary reason or purpose of writing the Declaration of Independence was to make foreign nations especially the imperialists the reasons behind colonies separating themselves from Great Britain (Avalon 2022). The factors that led to the establishment of the Declaration of Independence were the growing beliefs of the Americans of the importance of securing personal rights outside the British Empire that would help in providing them with greater power, growth as well as development opportunities (Avalon 2022). Second, the reason that the Declaration of Independence was initiated was because the colonists came to realize the impact as well as losses of war that their country had to suffer thereby creating a breach between the colonies and the imperialists (Avalon 2022).

Apart from this, the colonies came to realize and identify that the government had already ceased to protect the lives, property as well as liberty of its people and was no longer capable of advancing their happiness (Avalon 2022). They also feared that their rights and freedom were in the hand of evil rulers and therefore, it became necessary to free itself from its clutches (Avalon 2022). At the same time, the Declaration of Independence clearly highlighted the rights and duties of people along with that of the government, where it clearly stated that the role of the government is to promote and secure human rights which were not being followed effectively by the government (Avalon 2022).

The Declaration of Independence also encouraged the colonies and their people to understand the importance of overthrowing or abolishing the respective government if they become destructive and do not promote the welfare of the people (Vile 2018). For instance, it has been stated that when a government is unable to control and promotes abuses as well as usurpations and all kinds of evil-doing then people of the nation can end the despotic rule (Vile 2018). Therefore, the Declaration of Independence clearly showed that the colonies would no longer tolerate evil practices of the government, would promote human rights, safety, and welfare and at the same time, would also not accept the power of undeserving government (Avalon 2022).

Discussion

At the same time, it should be noted that the Declaration of Independence has clearly outlined some of the atrocities as well as incompetency of the British government to meet the needs and uphold the rights and freedom of its colonists and it is these reason that led to tremendous dissatisfaction among them ultimately forcing them to declare their independence from the long rule of imperialism (Vile 2018).

Another interesting aspect of the Declaration of Independence is that it clearly aligns with the ideas of John Locke and his Two Treatises on Government where he tried to refute the belief of divine right of kings and argued that every individual is born with rights to life, liberty as well as property and that rulers or the government who are incapable of providing and protecting these rights should be removed by force so that welfare of the people can be ensured (Fortier 2021).

As compared with the Declaration of Independence, Locke’s ideas and views emphasized the importance of government to follow and respect the will of the majority and should be treated equally by the government (Fortier 2021). This idea, therefore, encouraged the colonists and gave them a reason to fight against the British for their independence. Therefore, it can be said that Locke played a significant role though implicitly in the formation of the Declaration of Independence (Fortier 2021).

Hobbes as well as Rousseau were also inspired and influenced by the Declaration of Independence, where they too came up with their respective idea of a social contract. Hobbes was of the opinion that every individual is created equal and therefore it is their right to be treated equally (Fortier 2021). Rousseau on the other hand was of the idea that it is the responsibility of the government to consider the opinion of its citizens and that it should rely on the general population thereby clearly being aligned with the Declaration of Independence (Simpson 2021).

Thus, from the above discussion, it can be said that the Declaration of Independence is an announcement of the new nation’s founding and statement of political philosophy that will help in defending one’s liberty at home and abroad (Simpson 2021). Hence, it can be said that the Declaration of Independence is quite relevant in today’s scenario since it acts as a guiding principle and lesson for the government of every to uphold, promote as well as protect the rights and freedom of its people and also acts as a document for checks and balance by the citizens where they can identify when and how the government is acting despotically (Simpson 2021).

The Declaration of Independence also makes people aware of how they should end the despotic rule of the government if their needs and rights are not met and respected thereby compelling the government to behave ethically (Simpson 2021).

Conclusion

To conclude, the Declaration of Independence though was introduced by the colonies to assert their independence and free itself from the despotic rule of foreign government the document can be effectively used by the government of today, since it helps in laying down the foundation of how a government should work and how it can improve its practices and mitigate its loopholes.

Reference

Avalon.law.yale.edu. (2022). Avalon Project - Declaration of the Rights of Man - 1789. Avalon.law.yale.edu. Retrieved 3 March 2022, from https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/rightsof.asp.

Avalon.law.yale.edu. (2022). Avalon Project - The American Constitution - A Documentary Record. Avalon.law.yale.edu. Retrieved 3 March 2022, from https://avalon.law.yale.edu/subject_menus/constpap.asp.

Fortier, Jeremy. "Languages of Freedom: Danielle Allen on Du Bois and the Declaration of Independence." American Political Thought 10.2 (2021): 271-282.

Simpson, Brian P. A Declaration and Constitution for a Free Society: Making the Declaration of Independence and US Constitution Fully Consistent with the Protection of Individual Rights. Lexington Books, 2021.

Thompson, Michael J. "Rousseau’s Post-Liberal Self: Emile and the Formation of Republican Citizenship." The European Legacy 26.1 (2021): 39-53.

Vile, John R. The Declaration of Independence: America's First Founding Document in US History and Culture. ABC-CLIO, 2018.