There were many philosophies and ideas that shaped what the United States of America was to become. Its founders focused on the ideas and notions of previous governments and societies as they seek to form a perfect union that was designed for the people and run by the people. Central to this new country was the notion of justice and how to best obtain it throughout society. To this, the question was always answered by preserving the individual liberties of each person as they can discern for themselves what they wish to achieve in society. Though the founders pulled ideas from Aristotle and Jean Jacq Rousseau it is evident that the principles of Thomas Hobbes were fundamental to the formation of their new Government and country. Justice …show more content…
Turning to the Declaration of Independence it is seen in the line “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (Declaration of Independence). In this the founders intended for each person to decide for themselves what they wished to accomplish here in the States, to make them happy and not for the government to decide for them and determine what they can or cannot accomplish. In the phrase “the pursuit of happiness” they being the government are not guaranteeing that one will achieve happiness but that everyone has the right to seek out those things that will make them …show more content…
In the Bill of Rights, the government states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” thus ensuring the people the liberty to practice any religion they choose without the restriction of the government limiting their beliefs (Constitution). The government is also seen protecting the citizens when they are charged with a crime, as they are innocent until proven guilty. This is done through a fair trial by jury which decides the verdict and punishment for the individual if they shall get convicted. This process ensures justice for the people who are convicted of crimes have been shown to have committed the crime and are guilty, rather than a completely innocent individual. It is seen countless times in which the government has made every attempt to ensure the individual can have as much liberty as they can within