...and [these still] provide a religious dimension for the whole fabric of American life, including the political sphere
The inauguration of a President is an important ceremonial event in this religion. It reaffirms, among other things, the religious legitimation of the highest political authority." (Bellah, p.3-4) Relevant examples in this regard can include the speeches that Nixon held in order to justify the situation, the entire ceremony of the hearings and even the forgiveness that President Ford granted to the "guilty party." Again, an action that is largely based on feelings which at its turn, stirs up feelings. It seems that D'Souza is right and that the connection between feeling and morality in the American society is very strong and makes itself present at every social level. The American society listens to the ideal of authenticity that Rousseau spoke about. The resolution of the Watergate scandal, the attitude adopted by the people underline the extreme importance that the American people give to the principles of morality. Consequently it proves the belief according to which America is a great and noble country.
The American society gives a lot of importance to the moral legitimating of the political regime. It is not only the Watergate scandal that proves it, but also other scandals involving presidents, such as the one involving Bill Clinton. In the case of President Clinton, the most serious mistake that he made was not that he had an affair (even if this too represents an action against the moral principles and reflects an unhealthy attitude towards family). The most serious mistake that both Nixon and Clinton did was to lie to the American people, denying their guilt. Nixon even tried to manipulate the cultural, military and political elites. This is something that a people such as the American one can not tolerate.
Furthermore, the engine that led to the change (Nixon's resignation) was in fact the public opinion. The Watergate scandal proves that the key element in determining the outcomes of politics is the American public, just like Durkheim claims, and not the power elite. President Nixon had all the means available and still could not hide the truth from the public. And here, the role of the media is crucial. Had it not been for the two reporters that, just as it can be observed in the movie "All the President's men," were driven by the desire to get to the truth (the truth being a superior moral value) and did not abandon the inquiries despite feeling...
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