What are the most civilized aspects of American society?

Question

And what makes them civilized?

Answer 1

Of course its because of socialism. Unless individuals come together for a common social purpose civilization would not exist. Instead we would all be tribal (nationalistic/jingoistic); primitive and would look for every excuse to perpetuate violence (America is still very primitive in that regard)...............The most civilized aspects of American society are those Americans that have grown beyond selfish individualism and do what is best for the whole of our society (they give it all back in one way or another). What makes a individual or people civilized is that they are tuned into the higher abstract mind instead of the selfish egoistic mind. There is enough abundance on Earth for every man, woman and child to be wealthy beyond measure; you tell me what is stopping it from happening?

Answer 2

Your answer may be best approached backward: What are not the most civilized aspects of Americans? In my mind there are two or three that stand out; the others then are what makes us civilized. We are uncivilized when we kill unborn children; and yes, I was tacitly responsible for my own child's death when I agreed to my wife's abortion on the basis of health, it is still killing a living child and I will ever regret it.

The next that I can think of is how we treat the least fortunate among us; homeless, destitute, unfortunate mentally ill turned out or rejected from mental health care. Short term solutions for society's rejects lead to long terms on the street. Whether these are children running away from good homes, or members of society forced into bankruptcy who have lost everything they share the same life as the mentally unfit--a life on the street. There but for the grace of God go I, I always say.

These are the main ones I think that are the culprits in making us less civilized. You might add capital punishment to the list if it's one of your pet issues. It's not one of mine.

Answer 3

1) social programs if you have ever been to a country where a single/divorced parent is begging at the airport for money to feed their children, and get beat by police, you would see what makes them so civilized.

2) public education promotes advancement of society, and allows people to be more informed.

3)freedom of speech and press allows people to share ideas without fear of government intervention...well ok intervention may be the wrong word, since wire taps are everywhere....we'll go with...without punishment.

4) Separation of church and state promotes freedom of religion and the right of the people to choose what makes them happy.

Answer 4

Free speech. Only in a society ready (or just beginning to be ready) to question it's most basic premises will you find such a thing valued. It is one of the most civilized (and dangerous) things that one can do. They very definition of civilized (able to handle extremely dangerous things (the gun, planes, nuclear power, free speech) without killing oneself off.

Primitive is, in essence, those groups that cannot handles such power without destroying itself. Civilizations that are more advanced always destroy civilizations that are less advanced, whether by war, or by attrition to new ideas.

Free speech is the most dangerous thing we have.

I love it.

Answer 5

Compared to other societies?

Well when Democrats and Republicans disagree, nobody gets blown up.

Answer 6

Rule of law because it lessens the use of violence to settle scores.

Answer 7

what law and order are you all talking about???
the u.s has the highest crime rates in the west....
to answer the question ,when it comes to racial equality the u.s is one of the most advanced countries in the world,
in donates alot of money to other countries in need(not the government -private charity).
it sends its military to countries for humanitarian reasons ,which not to many countries do .

Answer 8

Law and order.

Answer 9

jack bauer....without him the U.S would not even be here....hes saved our lives like 10times over.