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As Grandstander notes, a governmental system in which power is diluted (and in which the grievances of groups of citizens have functional avenues for redress) goes a long way toward heading off civil wars.
Amen.. and I really like this thread, but would dispute the OP's opening characterization.. that America is 'fortunate'. My opinion, it was the Founders' careful planning & projecting that created our relatively successful Republic, not random fortune.
I also appreciate Grandstander's points about Washington. He was a uniquely insightful, restrained leader who set a great leadership example for American posterity. Again my opinion, Washington's the greatest person America ever produced.. who will unfortunately be eventually sacrificed by cultural-Marxists on their altar of selective political correctness.
(Washington's letter to a Rhode Island synagogue, on America's commitment to religious liberty: George Washington Letter )
We are blessed because we used to be One Nation under God. As a Nation, I think we are "pushing the envelope". I presently have a one dollar bill, on the back it says "IN GOD WE TRUST". If those words ever get removed from our currency, it's over.
The nation worked fairly well for 116 years before the pledge of allegiance was even written and another 61 years before "one national under god" was added to it. So for 177 years, one civil war, enumerable threats to the democracy and two world wars the nation did pretty well without being one nation under some god.
By that I mean, with the obvious exception of the American Civil War America has never had tons of civil wars or on again off again fighting with each other like just about every other country has had. You look at places like Syria and Pakistan where people being blown up/shot up, new civil wars happening even today with tanks routinely seen driving through streets to kill others etc. etc. Why has America been so fortunate that (again with the exception of the ACW) it has never really had such internal strife where a new civil war or mass chaos is a common occurrence? I mean think about it, Americans look back at the ACW and just look at it as some terrible thing but it happened over 100 years ago and despite what people may say is unthinkable of ever happening again, whereas in so many other countries they learn a new civil war has started or tanks come rolling in and you could wake someone and tell them and they'll just be like "What's new?' and act like it's just another Tuesday.
My best guess is the separation of church and state.
Your problem is in comparing the United States with third-world dictatorships that are a hodgepodge of ethnicities grouped together more or less arbitrarily due to colonial boundaries. A much better comparison would be to put the United States up against those countries that are most similar to it - former British colonies largely settled by Brits and other western Europeans. These could be counties such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The mother country, the United Kingdom, also provides a useful comparison in this regard. More appropriate comparisons such as those show a much more consistent history of relatively little internal strife.
As Grandstander notes, a governmental system in which power is diluted (and in which the grievances of groups of citizens have functional avenues for redress) goes a long way toward heading off civil wars.
Europe? You gotta be kidding, every single place in Europe has been destroyed multiple times and they have lived in political instability for centuries.
Modern USA has an eleborate, multilevel, all encompassing system of the social control in place, the envy of the totalitarians around the world. It is really handy way to prevent grievances from happening in the first place. If a slave thinks he's freest person living in the best possible world, what civil strife? Pre corporate USA was way too volatile and explosive. It took some serious taming.
Civil War saw virtual annihilation of the regional elites. It is one big happy nation wide ruling class, which eliminate reason #1 for civil strife. To give American ruling class its dues, it has some self tuning, self cleaning, regenerating mechanisms etc. many national elites around the world dont bother themselves with.
Last edited by RememberMee; 11-30-2015 at 09:53 AM..
Most countries that enjoy long term stability share three factors:
1. Common law foundation (either English or Napoleonic root) that provides for the basic rights of the individual and limits the power of the state.
2. Free market economics existing within boundaries set by the state that allows for the growth of a large middle class and the prospect for upward mobility.
3. The existence of a social safety net allowing for access to education, healthcare and resources for those most vulnerable.
The exact mix of these factors differs, but they are for the most part the three foundations of long term stability. The US and several other countries have enjoyed the benefits of this for a long time.
Most countries that enjoy long term stability share three factors:
1. Common law foundation (either English or Napoleonic root) that provides for the basic rights of the individual and limits the power of the state.
2. Free market economics existing within boundaries set by the state that allows for the growth of a large middle class and the prospect for upward mobility.
3. The existence of a social safety net allowing for access to education, healthcare and resources for those most vulnerable.
The exact mix of these factors differs, but they are for the most part the three foundations of long term stability. The US and several other countries have enjoyed the benefits of this for a long time.
Agree with the above three and would add a fourth: A peaceful process for transferring political power.
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