Civil Disobedience & from Resistance to Civil Government

Civil Disobedience & from Resistance to Civil Government

Civil Disobedience • Coined by Thoreau when he chose to disobey a law • Thoreau, MLK Jr., Ghandi

Civil Disobedience • Logical appeals – facts, examples and well- reasoned arguments • Ethical – based on widely accepted morals and values • Emotional – Language and anecdotes that arouse strong feelings (Talking about a common experience)

Resistance to Civil Government • Many Americans believed that we had provoked the Mexican War in order to expand slaveholding territories. • Thoreau was protesting this war at the time of his arrest

From Resistance to Civil Government • Paradox – Statements that express the complexity of life by showing how opposing ideas can be both contradictory and true at the same time • "The swiftest traveler is he that goes afoot."(Henry David Thoreau, Walden) • The less you have the more free you are. - Ivan Illich

Resistance to Civil Government • “That government is best which governs least…” • In an ideal world, people would not need governments at all • Logical appeal • Can there be, simultaneously, a government and no government?

Resistance to Civil Government • Because a standing government, is like a standing army, it should be disbanded • Government is manipulated by few, and effects many.

Resistance to Civil Government • Government = a wooden gun • The government is not as forceful as one individual and accomplishes nothing on its own (logical appeal) • “It does not keep the country free. It does not settle the West. It does not educate.” (emotional appeal)

Resistance to Civil Government • Thoreau asks for a better government • Have man choose their own government that suits them • Thoreau is assuming that people will voice their opinion

Resistance to Civil Government • Men say they would like to be sent to Mexico to help the slaves, but they send someone else to do that. • These same men buy tobacco products and cotton, which supports the slave owners • These same men pay taxes, which support the war

Resistance to Civil Government • Thoreau believes one HONEST man can inspire others • Thoreau describes himself as the common taxpayer (emotional appeal)

Resistance to Civil Government • Paradox • Thoreau is in prison and even though his body is imprisoned, his mind and convictions are free

Resistance to Civil Government • Paradox • Thoreau assumes that the men in prison are HONEST men because he is in jail for being honest he assumes the same of others

Resistance to Civil Government • Civil Disobedience • Thoreau agrees to follow laws that only he has agreed to • In any other circumstances, he is free to disobey

Resistance to Civil Government • Persuasive techniques/ ethical appeal • Thoreau’s main argument appeals to the assumption held by many • Government was formed by an absolute monarchy and that it can improve by focusing on the individual

Resistance to Civil Government • Paradox • Citizens live “aloof” from government and still fulfill the duties of “neighbors and fellow men” • People can refuse to pay certain taxes and not receive certain governmental benefits, but they still are an honest and patriotic citizen

Civil Disobedience & from Resistance to Civil Government