Who Is Lincoln A Virtuous Citizenry

On the other hand, Abraham Lincoln argued that the government of the country was not a substitute for a wise and virtuous citizenry that can take care of their families and communities. Summarily, the conception of Jefferson and Lincoln about a “Virtuous Citizenry” is a conglomeration of patriotic and selfless citizens who are equally concerned about their welfare and that of the society. In Jefferson, Lincoln, and the Unfinished Work of the Nation, Hatzenbuehler denotes what a virtuous citizenry meant to both Lincoln and Jefferson. He states that they both believed that a virtuous citizenry was exceedingly necessary for the establishment of a healthy republican government. The rationale behind this proposition is that a virtuous citizenry
Ideally, the rule of law envisions a system of governance free from arbitrary actions and where the law is enforced in a fair and efficient manner. In his book, Hatzenbuehler constructs the concept of the rule of law from the analogy of Jean Jacques Rousseau, a Francophone Genevan philosopher, who opined that the rule of law acts as a roadmap for a stable and egalitarian society of virtuous men. In the modern world, the rule of law guarantees all citizens a reasonable level of equality and averts authoritarianism, imperialism, and impunity that may spur mass action. Similarly, for the federal government of the United States to nurture a “Virtuous Citizenry,” it has an indispensable role in putting in place the requisite institutional and legal measures that protect the rule of
In his book, Hatzenbuehler’s conception of inequalities is premised on historical injustices and oppressive regimes as well as laws. His views on social inequalities and distributive justices are highly influenced by Robert Nozick’s entitlement theory in his book entitled “Anarchy, State, and Utopia”. In the modern world, social inequalities have become a major concern for the international community. For instance, the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) requires nations to use the Core Minimum Approach in addressing social inequalities, especially those falling under the broad spectrum of social and economic rights. The effect of biases in the process of nurturing a “Virtuous Citizenry” is that they cause hostilities and anti-social behaviors like corruption that are inimical to the development of a nation. In reducing social inequalities, the federal government of the U.S has the mandate of fighting all forms of discrimination and establishing measures of addressing past injustices and historical inequalities among different groups of people. Such measures include affirmative action programs for the marginalized sections of the