It is the distinction between dissent and disagreement in which Daniel J. Boorstin bases his whole argument on. Boorstin believes that in a liberal society, like America, we thrive on disagreements. However, it is dissension that kills us. Boorstin presented an idea that more than definitely holds true for America; we thrive on having differences because without it America would not be where it is now today.
The United States thrives on disagreement. Boorstin makes a point that when in disagreement each side feels as though they are the majority. What two sides are there here in the United States that both feel as though they are the majority? They are the Democrats and the Republicans. The Democrats and the Republicans are often in disagreement and yet they are majorities. Without our two party systems, our government would most likely make impractical decisions, as there would only be one side to present the pros of the action and not opposing the Con side. “A liberal society thrives on disagreement but is killed by dissension. Disagreement is the life blood of democracy, dissension is its cancer.” Dissension, a disagreement with a minority creates some problems and could hurt the liberal society in which disagreement is so vital.
“Dissent is the great problem of America today. It is a symptom, an expression, a consequence, and a cause of all others.” Dissent is a symptom of past action and has become the reason for all other symptoms. As previously stated above, the United States thrives on disagreement, the dispute between our two political parties. These groups feel as though they are the majority, which is true because neither is a minority. Take for example the government shutdown; the Democrats argued that the people is required to get health insurance; while the Republicans argued that people should not be required to get health insurance. This would remove the Affordable Care Act. This is what happens when one party does not listen to the other and makes decision on its own. The dissent is the consequence for doing so. We need disagreement. It stops us from making rash decisions, and ultimately ending up with a majority and minority system.
“Disagreement produces debate.” In a debate, both sides of the topic are discussed. Attributes surrounding the topic are presented and those debating are able to see more of their own opinion and more of the opposing opinion. Debate is a powerful thing. It allows us to see the wrong things in our own opinion that we may not have noticed if it were not for the debate. This is why America thrives on disagreement. It produces a debate that then sheds more like into each argument. A politician may have a strong idea for how they could create world peace, but until he/she presents it to others, he/she may not see the flaws of his/her idea. Disagreement, especially in a political setting, allows those involved seeing more of the whole image, establishing success and democracy.
Daniel Boorstin presented readers with an opinion that is vital to understanding the significance of disagreement in America. Disagreement is usually something we overlook as being irrelevant; however, Boorstin presents the idea that is more than that. It is the life blood of democracy. The United States is a democracy and without the existence of disagreement between majorities, we would land in dissension, which is a cancer to a democracy.
