I agree that the Declaration of Independence an indictment of King George for sins of commission and omission against the Americans, i.e. a list of grievances. But another key element of the Declaration was a repudiation of the divine right of kings!
"secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That, whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government,"
Even the British with a monarchy had a certain level of self-government (via the Magna Carta) with their parliament- a right and aspect of governance that was being denied to the Americans.
Another quirk, one might say, was Jefferson's use of "unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
Jefferson and other Founders were undoubtedly familiar with John Locke's view that fundamental natural rights are "life, liberty, and property." Jefferson changed it.
In philosophical circles the change makes perfect sense. Property can be sold, given away, lost physically. But Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness are intangibles and not subject to the approach to property.
I agree that the Declaration of Independence an indictment of King George for sins of commission and omission against the Americans, i.e. a list of grievances. But another key element of the Declaration was a repudiation of the divine right of kings!
"secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That, whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government,"
Even the British with a monarchy had a certain level of self-government (via the Magna Carta) with their parliament- a right and aspect of governance that was being denied to the Americans.
Another quirk, one might say, was Jefferson's use of "unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
Jefferson and other Founders were undoubtedly familiar with John Locke's view that fundamental natural rights are "life, liberty, and property." Jefferson changed it.
In philosophical circles the change makes perfect sense. Property can be sold, given away, lost physically. But Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness are intangibles and not subject to the approach to property.