TY - BOOK ID - 125636554 TI - The Declaration of Independence : a study in the history of political ideas PY - 1953 PB - New York : Alfred A. Knopf, DB - UniCat KW - États-Unis UR - https://www.unicat.be/uniCat?func=search&query=sysid:125636554 AB - In all human history there has been no political document of such wide-spread and lasting influence as the Declaration of Independence. And, in all probability, few to which so much lip-service has been rendered, with so little understanding or analysis. What the Declaration really is, what views it sets forth, where those views arose, how they have been accepted or modified by following generations - these are matters of the greatest importance to Americans, indeed to all free peoples in the world today. The Declaration is not, as so many believe, the resolution of the Continental Congress whereby the colonies were declared to be free and independent States. It is rather the later public statement explaining and justifying the earlier action. As such it sets forth not only the specific grievances of the colonists against the Crown, but also an entire concept of the nature of government and its relation to the people. That is the concept under which we live today, despite the variations from the main line which have occured from time to time in our history. That is the concept which has been under attack by the totalitarian dictators. It is one of the world's most stirring concepts ; and in the Declaration of Independence it finds its most perfect expression. Professor Becker's fine study, examining that precious statement of the American way in all its aspects, is a book which every American should read. ER -