Part 1 of 2 (250-300 words):
Consider the ideas about “rights” that are set forth in (a) the Declaration of Independence of the United States and (b) the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen from Revolution-era France. Does Frederick Douglass’s “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” represent a rejection, a criticism, or an endorsement of the fundamental conceptions of rights that are reflected in these two documents? It will be clear when you read the text that Douglass is, in fact, extremely critical of the political and legal system of the United States at the time.
But remember that you are not being asked simply whether Douglass is critical of the US: quite obviously, he is. Instead, in responding you need to analyze the argument more deeply to consider the basis for that criticism. To what extent (if any) is Douglass’s critique of the legal and political system of the United based on his disapproval of the essential concepts of “rights” that are part of the foundations of that system, and to what extent (if any) is his critique based on other grounds?
Explain your conclusions with reference to evidence from Douglass and the other two assigned texts.
You may use only the assigned texts themselves. That is, you may not do any outside research or use the work of any other person regarding the texts or the events and circumstances that they address.
Part 2 of 2 (350-400 words — *a bit longer than Part 1):
Consider the arguments made by Sun Yat-Sen and Francis Fukuyama. To what extent do these two authors agree with regard to Chinese society’s capacities for adopting and implementing democracy? To what extent do they disagree? Explain your conclusions with reference to evidence from the assigned texts.
You may use only the assigned texts themselves. That is, you may not do any outside research or use the work of any other person regarding the texts or the events and circumstances that they address.
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