Position Paper

Thesis

After considering both sides of the issue, the perspective of the source should be rejected as governments should protect civil liberties and citizens must challenge authority when necessary. Unchecked authority often leads to abuse of power, undermining democracy and individual rights

Argument #1

For society to prosper, it is an important responsibility for the government to protect its citizens individual rights and freedoms and ensure social equality. The argument rejects the source, believing in prioritizing the citizens over controlling their lives. Protecting these rights guarantees citizens are not oppressed or exploited, preventing the government from using complete control.

• Case Study #1

  • Canada has the Charter of Rights and Freedoms which guarantees individuals the rights of freedom of expression, freedom of movement, and equality before the law.

• Link to argument

  • The charter demonstrates how it is the government's legal and moral responsibility to protect citizens from tyranny or discrimination.

  • This ensures that citizens, especially minorities, are treated equally and fairly under the law

• Case study #2

  • During the Industrial Revolution, there was an increase in individuals moving to the city in search of jobs in factories

  • Inside these factories, workers were treated cruelly and inhumanly by business owners.

  • The workplace was unsafe and crowded with little ventilation, increasing the likelihood of lung diseases

  • Workplace injuries were common along with child labor 

  • Workers has little to no breaks while working extensive hours for poor wages

• Link to argument

  • The treatment of factory workers and environment of factories during the Industrial Revolution highlight why government interference is necessary.

  • Labor reforms protect workers rights, especially in growing economies

  • Limited working hours, minimum wage, and safety regulations need to be established and maintained.

  • Thus, discouraging employers from exploitation and protecting vulnerable groups like children and women from economic inequality

  • Overall, it is the government's responsibility to protect citizens’ rights and welfare

• Case study #3

  • Montesquieu ideas of separation of powers where the government splits into 3 different branches to prevent one leader or group from becoming too powerful

  • Advocated for freedom of speech and protection of individual rights

• Link to argument

  • Montesquieu supports the argument that government must protect civil liberties to limit authority through checks and balancing power

  • Separation of powers prevents abuse of authority and ensures citizens freedoms are respected

Argument #2

Allowing citizens to challenge authority is important to hold leaders and government accountable. Citizens exercising their rights of freedom of speech and democracy prevents leaders from abusing authority and ensures government actions respect citizens rights and freedoms.

• Case Study #1

  • Bloody Sunday is a historical event in Russia where peaceful protesters marched towards the Winter Palace 

  • These people were protesting for better rights and working conditions, but in the end were shot by the Tsar’s soldiers

  • This massacre had destroyed the people’s trust in the Tsar 

  • This resulted in only more strikes, protests, and uprisings across Russia

  • This had forced the Tsar to create the Duma, showing a start of weakness towards his power

• Link to argument

  • Bloody Sunday illustrates why it is important for citizens to have the power to challenge authority to hold leaders accountable

  • Without the right to challenge, authoritative government will only continue to ignore and suppress the voice of individuals, violating liberties and oppressing marginalized groups

  • This event enforces the argument in which holding governments accountable is essential in the security and protecting of individual rights

• Case study #2

  • In the Philippines, citizens have organized multiple protests against corporations and members of congress demanding they be investigated and held accountable for embezzling funds meant for city projects, especially infrastructures for flood control

  • These protests mainly focus on the lack of projects and regulations against flood disasters which have killed multiple people and significantly damage property

• Link to argument

  • These protests in the Philippines showcase why citizens need to challenge authority for better standards of living and protects their communities from exploitation and neglect

  • These active protests and pressure from social media forces the government and corporations to take accountability

• Case study #3

  • Jean Jacques Rousseau proposes the idea of the social contract between governments and citizens. 

  • The social contact is where citizens grant the right to govern to governments, thus must act in the best interests of the people

  • If the government fails to do so, this legitimizes rebellion

  • Furthermore, Rousseau advocates for elections and citizen participation

• Link to argument

  • The idea of the social contract holds governments accountable if they abuse their power or infringe of the rights of citizens

  • Thus, if the government actions do not reflect such ideals, it validates the citizens to rise up and replace the government

  • Democracy and citizen participation in elections guarantees that individuals have a voice in the future and stability of their nation

Argument #3

History has shown multiple times that if authority is centralized in a single person or group, they may abuse their power at the expense of a marginalized group. Thus, for history to not repeat itself, it is important to reject the source. 

• Case study #1

  • Enabling Act: a law that gave Hitler the power to rule by himself, therefore giving him full, legal dictatorship.

  • Gave him the ability to ban political parties, control media, arrest opponents, and change Germany however he wanted all without anyone being able to stop him

• Link back to argument

  • This act removed democratic principles that targeted marginalized groups 

  • He was able to arrest opponents without valid reasons, going against the idea of rule of law where everyone was equal before the law. 

  • This demonstrates how dangerous of concentrating power in a single leader because through Hitler, we see how he continues to further abuse his power

• Case study #2

  • Nuremberg Laws: Laws that define who was considered “Jewish” and stripped Jewish people of their citizenship and basic rights. Going as far as banning marriage and relationship between Jews and non-Jews

• Link back to argument

  • These laws had helped Hitler legally enforce his racist beliefs, isolating Jews from the rest of society and justifying discrimination and future violence against the marginalized group.

  • This was another major step towards the Holocaust as it made antisemitism legal

• Case study #3:

  • Night of Broken Glass: A violent attack against Jewish people in Nazy Germany

  • Synagogue, Jewish homes, and businesses, were destroyed

  • Jewish people are arrested or killed

  • This event was a major step towards the Holocaust, showing that the Nazi Regime would openly use violence to persecute Jews

• Link back to argument:

  • Through this event, we saw how the Nazi soldiers abused their power by openly destroying Jewish related buildings

  • The Nazi party also showed they used their power to organize and permit violent attacks against Jews.

  • Only further isolated the minority against the German population due to a dictatorship government.

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