Oconnell chapter 4 summary

O’Connell Chapter 1
Civil Society – Our Invisible Colossus

O’connell states that “people are often ahead of their leaders,” which I consider interesting because it seems to be true at some timesand untrue at other times in history. I think he is trying to say (and I agree with him) that it is crucial for the leaders of the country to consider themselves citizens of the very country theylead. O’Connell explains the often dismissed characteristics of various leaders that have made them less dominant and more like citizens of their country. What is it about a person that denies the worthof community without notice? At the beginning of the chapter, O’Connell quotes Daniel and Ruth Boorstin in Hidden History, saying, “This notion of community is one of the most characteristic, one ofthe most important, yet one of the least noticed American contributions to modern life, (pg. 1). This relates to various events in history that have proven to us that collaboration of the people is arevolution not only for our country, but an example for the rest of the world as well.

The reading also brings up the question of why the leader of some governments, for example, the late Kim Jong-ilof North Korea, would be so inclined to oppose democracy. In this situation, it seems that anyone can become corrupt given too much power. This would explain why our government has the system ofchecks and balances. I wonder if some people have an internalized characteristic that makes them more apt to volunteer and participate in their governments and the environment around them. And if so, whatis that characteristic? O’Connell defines five essential characteristics of free and effective societies in his essay: “Civic space where citizens with similar interests and concerns to find oneanother and are free to pursue what they believe is in their and the public’s interest, freedom of speech including criticism of those in power, the right of association and the exercise of collective...