Geography and Destiny

[David Inglehart]

Was the American experiment in constitutional democracy a one-off? –an historical accident that could only have succeeded on a largely unpopulated and undeveloped continent?

• This topic was modified 3 weeks, 4 days ago by David Inglehart.
• This topic was modified 3 weeks, 1 day ago by David Inglehart.

[Siri Beckman]

I write from a personal point of view, that of my own family’s history. This history is shared by all the millions of immigrants that entered our newly formed Democracy. Why did they risk that trip across the Atlantic, crammed into ships in stark conditions? Also, why did they leave their countries of origin? Most lived under a King in a society where the Church dominated their lives, and it was unlikely they could ever improve their station in life. America represented that chance for a free life, a better life. My ancestors didn’t stay in the city ports when they landed. They slowly made their way West where they became successful farmers. I believe this desire for a better life to be true today for the majority of new immigrants.

–SB

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