英美概况论文(宋立人 金融一班1).doc

Democracy in America -Puritanism influence American democracy09级金融一班宋立人Puritanism Influence American Democracy Whenever we talk about America or U.S, the first which come into our mind is that America is so democratic a country. As we all know America is such a young country which only has got 236 years history, however, what makes it. In my opinion, Puritanism played a big role in it which influence American democracy greatly.1. Puritanism and its originThe Puritan was originated in British religious reform in the early sixteenth century. After the reform of English religious the religion was called the Episcopal Church which belonged to one of Protestant. Although the Episcopal Church was against Roman Catholic in essence, the reform was not thorough in religious doctrine. So a part of radical Puritan announced that they had broken away from the Episcopal Church and required that clean the old rule in Catholic and the complicated system etiquette and advocated a simple life. In the end they founded a new religious fration-Puritan.Strictly speaking, the Puritan was not really a fraction, but an attitude , a tendency, a kind of values or a kind of group of believers collectively. The puritans were the most devout and holy protestants. They believed that “everyone is a flamen ,everyone can call” and every individual can communicate with god directly againsting the abbe group bossy, corruption formalism. They accept Calvin the teachings, abolishing the bishop system and the worship of idols, reducing religious holiday, advocating thrift section and patience, and against costly lust. They praise the accumulation of wealth, thrift, hard and enterprising spirit. During the religious persecution in the process of repression, the puritans inherited British liberalism tradition, and formed the new individualism on the basis. This concept to the change of the social structure of the inevitable brings extensive adjustment. Along with the development of the socialist Puritan, the pilgrims demanding for reform are no longer limited to etiquette, abolishing teaching order system. This is seriously breaking the vested interests, and they were prosecuted by the Episcopal Church of England. Puritan activities thus turned to underground. Then many pilgrims chose to exile to find their hearts to the Promised Land.2. Puritanism Influenced American Democracy Individualism-the cornerstone of American democracy Individualisms history can be traced back to ancient times. Ancient Greece in democratic politics contained personal life respect. During the Renaissance, and the enlightenment, respecting the individual life was thought to be a rapid development. In todays world of many countries, especially in democratic countries, personal socialist thought has quite a big market. But, scholars generally think that the individualism is the political culture of a theme and characteristic in America. Only Puritan ethics can give birth to a typical individualism. Although the traditional Christian has its value which is helpful for universalism beyond the formation of peace, etc. However, individual must through the church organization with god, and the individuals will could not have independent status. Protestant reform advocated faith, and people can communicate with god directly. This reduced the church organization in the role of the individual and promoted the personal status. At the same time it also strengthened the personal self-discipline, because when a tangible people faced the god, invisible to introspection and self-supervision. In this process, the personal will have independence and sanctity, individualism is the philosophical and religious foundation, this reflects the personal will independence and the sanctity of individualism is the core of liberalism. Separation of Church and State-The founding principles of democracy in U.S First of all, because of the protestant denominations in North America, pines has never formed a unity, powerful church which is not like Europe countries political life that plays an important role. Which is, of course, and the pilgrims in North America and the practice of the Puritan socialist related teachings was separated. Just as the American scholars have pointed out, to early in the eighteenth century, north American religious stage is a complicated stage. The church of England in the south of colonies. Three of the colonies was set up. However even in such a dominant church place some dissident sectarian also bold to break in. In other colonies, where had never set up effective church, and there were all kinds of sectarian at start. Most of the colonial residents are protestant and most people are the Calvinist inspired. Therefore, in the United States, a Puritan socialist democratic politics which became Americas security benefits from separation between church and state. American ordinary people identified the separation between church and state. The puritans in New England were not uniform in the opinion of the many issues but were consistent in the separation of this point. They need the government which is acting for god and maintain discipline of pure religious duty of government. From the above we can see that in the Puritan tradition of individualism contained contract spirit, freedom and equality of natural hobby. The Puritan identity of the separation socialist made a profound affection to the establishment of democratic political America and therefore constituting of American democracy is a most important spiritual origins. Despite the separation of the constitution of the United States was an important principle and the basic characteristics of the political reality. But it did not mean that there was no relationship between politics and religion, on the contrary, it was the separation of religion on the American society to maintain a strong and lasting political