Rousseau's Analysis

Hope, more specifically the enthusiasm it creates, is the power of a democracy. Rousseau is talking about tyranny: the people as a socio-political collective should be the tyrannical power that governs a society. Savio believes the intensity of humanity will never be fully understood by bureaucratic institutions as we are collectively ever-changing. Thus people must always be ready to critique their government; ready to provoke progress by taking action. The quotes provided intertwine hope as the “Atlas” of democratic pillars of justice rather than nationalism. Rousseau describes the necessity of, “the constitution of the government,” as the power at hand, which should be held responsible for dictating equality within a country. Rousseau

However, one is subsumed within the other, with Rousseau’s democracy establishing a universal law, which is enforced by Savio’s ideal citizens. The dramatic visual metaphor of “put[ting] your bodies upon the gears… wheels… levers… you’ve got to make it stop,” conveys Savio’s call for activism.

Activism like Susan Doe’s court case for trans rights under Maine Human Rights Act. Ostracized Doe successfully created policies for trans youth of any age. All while within, “the operation of the

Complacency permeates in the people feeding the power of democratic tyrants. Politics is widely considered to be corrupt. This corruption and lack of educated voters creates a space where politicians speak like demigods, pander or are quite vague in order to communicate to the people. We the people must stay informed in order to assist’ honesty in politics.

A great example of this subjective rhetoric is the “Death Tax,” a term used instead of it’s actual name the “Estate Tax.” This taxation applies to a portion of an inheritance exceeding $5.45 million “0.02% of estates,” by communicating an approachable title to this law. A number of Americans feel threatened by it. When in fact this is only applicable to “the 1%.” Understanding our government’s laws is vital. Self-governing, by understanding our government’s systems and laws, is our power. If we give up on the system claiming it corrupt we loose touch and do not understand it. Tepid we put our faith in the merit of politics. Our fate is our own in this system with our education, sympathy and tenacity as the power of our