Equality in the Declaration of Independence

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    Guest: Danielle Allen

    [From the Radio Times archive] Last July, America celebrated 238 years since the Declaration of Independence was adopted. Thomas Jefferson’s document famously promises all Americans “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”. The Declaration has traditionally been read as an assertion of liberty. But in a new book, Our Declaration: A Reading of the Declaration of Independence in Defense of Equality, scholar DANIELLE ALLEN argues that, without equality, we cannot be free. We talk to Allen, professor at the Institute for Advanced Study, about the history of the Declaration and its meaning today. Marty spoke with Allen last year.

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