Extended Essays 2021

Introduction

On the 30 January 1787, Thomas Jefferson, prominent architect of the United States

constitution, wrote to James Madison outlining the importance of rebellion by stating,

“ Malo periculosam, libertatem quam quietam servitutem.” 1 Which translates to “I prefer

dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery,” and is a justification for the right to

insurrection. On the 6 January 2021, the Capitol Building of Washington, DC was

stormed by a group of alt-right supporters, including the Boogaloo Boys, attempting to

reinstate the government of Donald Trump to power, despite him losing the election. 2

The right to rebel against a democratic government is highly debated and increasingly

relevant in an age of ongoing social unrest. Jefferson proclaims that rebellion is a

necessary part of a functioning democracy as he writes further, “a little rebellion now

and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world and storms in the

physical.” 3 Reading this, I questioned the validity of the Boogaloo Boys’ cause and

whether the right to rebel is one the group is entitled to. I analysed whether this right

continues to exist under an objective that is politically skewed towards one sphere

rather than that of the collective. As a fundamentally conservative group aims to

restore governance to a conservative leader, the riots are analysed as such in addition.

Thus, the philosophical question is that when a government no longer fulfils its primary

function, to serve and protect the people, are the people able to enforce change

1 “I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery.” “I Prefer Dangerous Freedom Over Peaceful Slavery (Quotation).” Www.monticello.org , www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/i-prefer-dangerous- freedom-over-peaceful-slavery-quotation. 2 Lee, ArLuther. “Riot at the Capitol — What Caused One of America’s Darkest Days.” Ajc , 2021, www.ajc.com/news/riot-at-the-capitol-what-caused-one-of-americas-darkest- days/LC7SQJXNVVBEPAQSAETMJQT73U/. 3 “Founders Online: From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 30 January 1787.” Founders.archives.gov , founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-11-02-0095#:~:text=I%20hold%20it%20that%20a. Accessed 18 July 2021.

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