Reflections: What Is the United States of America?

June 29, 2020 8:52 am Published by
reflections on the United States of America

Image by Trent Yarnell on unsplash

As a country, we are in the midst of a number of events which have upset our (until recently) normal, daily life activities. This unsettledness has created the opportunity to rethink “who we are” as a country – and who we want to become.

I’m not the most reflective person, but I have been thinking about the United States – our history (good and bad), our current status, what makes us the country we have become, and how we are similar to and different from other countries (either current, or those in the past.)

What is a Country?

Countries are an interesting entity. One definition of a country is “a nation with its own government, occupying a particular territory.” Some characteristics of countries include that they are:

  • organized by and made up of people
  • a type of community
  • built on the foundation of a group of people’s (the founders) view of the world and what they believe about people and life
  • geographical — they exist in some physical space or location, and
  • political — they have some form of organization which is formalized by constitutions and laws, delineating:

*the purpose of the country

*what motivates people

*how decisions are best made

*the rights and responsibilities of its citizens

*ways to “check” and limit unhealthy (unhelpful) behaviors

*who owns and controls property (real, intellectual)

*the privileges of citizenship

*the ways to become a citizen.

The Challenge: Imperfection

I believe countries are, by nature, imperfect entities because they are created by and composed of imperfect people. In spite of this, some countries function “better” than others because the principles they are founded upon more closely resemble the truths we observe about human behavior (over time and among groups of people).  Those countries which are founded upon principles which do not closely resemble reality tend to not function well, especially over time.

Freedoms

As I reflect on “who we are” as a country, a core component is that we are largely a country with numerous freedoms – especially when contrasted to the lack of freedoms which so many citizens of other countries do not have.

We have the freedom to live where we want. Yes, I live in Kansas and many people wonder why. But if I want to move, I can (and have – previously having lived in the Chicago area, Phoenix, and Atlanta).

We have the freedom to choose our own vocation. Although figuring out what we want to do with our lives vocationally can be a huge challenge, it is a nice problem to have.

We have the freedom to speak our minds freely. Whether it is through the Internet, in personal conversations, writing an editorial to the newspaper, passing out leaflets or speaking at a public meeting, we have the freedom to share our thoughts, even if they differ from the current government authorities or from the majority culture.  (Unfortunately, healthy, respectful discourses are occurring less and less!)

We have the freedom to gather publicly in groups. This is obviously closely linked to the freedom of speech, but differs in an important way. If the populace becomes upset with some aspect of community life, we have the right to gather by the thousands, if we want, to make our voice known.

We have the freedom to choose our religious beliefs. Obviously, many of the early American settlers came to the country specifically for the desire for religious freedom — attempting to escape religious persecution (or being forced to participate in the State-sanctioned religion like the Church of England).

Freedom, Rights & Responsibilities

Freedoms, however, are not absolute. There are limits and boundaries to every freedom, many of which are delineated in our laws. We are not allowed to hurt or kill others. We do not have the right to live on someone else’s property without their permission. We do not have the right, when we gather in groups to damage others’ property.

Our freedoms are closely related to, and deeply rooted in certain rights we have. I am intrigued to think through: what responsibilities go with the freedoms and rights that we have? That is, since we have the right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” (from the Declaration of Independence) — what responsibilities go with these rights?

Many of the responsibilities I think of are derived from moral and ethical principles (although some have been written into our laws). Responsibilities such as:

  • treating others with respect
  • respecting and honoring others’ property
  • relating to others as you desire to be treated
  • giving others the right to be heard
  • allowing others to have different beliefs

Conclusion

So, what is the United States of America?

  • 50 states living separately but connected together
  • A group of diverse people
  • Located within geographical boundaries in North America
  • Founded on the premise that all are created equal and have equal rights
  • Organized according to the Constitution and Bill of Rights
  • Governed by the will of the people as expressed through representative government (as opposed to a monarchy or dictatorship)
  • Balanced by three equal branches of government
  • Principled, but flawed

As you gather with friends and family over this weekend, I would encourage you to:

a) consider your actions and speech as you interact with others

b) at a minimum, listen, seek to understand, and be patient

c) strive to be positive, supportive and encouraging in your conversations with others (NOTE: you may stand out from others!), and

d) be thankful for the good things in your life.

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Published by
June 29, 2020 8:52 am

8 Comments

  • Laura J Gillis says:

    That was beautifully written. I believe that America is the best country in the world and I am sad to see the direction we are moving. I am afraid that we might lose those so valued freedoms if we are not careful to realize the attach upon them at this time. I am proud to be an American.

    • Paul White says:

      Laura, I have concerns as well. I think one of the best things we each can do is to strive to treat each other with kindness and respect. While that alone will not resolve the issues, those responses will not add fuel to the negative interactions which are occurring so often. Dr. Paul

  • Ellie Hubbard says:

    THANK YOU! Thoroughly enjoyed your reflection.

  • Sheryl Duffy-York says:

    Well said – Happy July 4th from New Zealand.

  • Alex says:

    Well said! Thank you.

  • Kathleen Shickles says:

    Excellent article. I will be sharing with others. Tthank you

  • Savannah robinson says:

    Thanks for your reflections. I like the statement “countries are imperfect entities because they are composed up of imperfect people”. I know this was not the platform to address the possible repercussions that come as a result of decisions of those imperfect people that when the freedoms of one group are stifled or ignored; when we all do not enjoy freedom of religious beliefs, freedom to live where we want, freedom to speak our minds freely, and freedom to choose our own vocations–just to name a few.
    Overtime a hot pot will boil over if the temperature is not reduced. Individuals who are constantly treated as if they have no “rights to a pursuit of happiness” equally will eventually rebel against such treatment. Asking that individual to remember the rights of others and become the responsible citizen of a country flawed with laws designed by imperfect people is too late.
    Post traumatic stress syndrome is what is being express in some of the protests we are seeing now. How do we treat this phenomime? Hopefully, not with the same constructs used to create it in the first place. Real truths holds firm and stand the test of time. Wordings, on the other hand, are just that even though they sound good.

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