I study the Declaration of Independence, and here’s why the colonists’ grievances are surprisingly relevant, 250 years later

A partisan judiciary, arbitrary power, officials beyond the reach of the people – these are the grievances that drove a revolution.

By: Robert Parkinson, Binghamton University, State University of New York, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: June 24, 2026

Words: 1,375

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 6 days ago

Body Text Preview

By Robert Parkinson, Binghamton University, State University of New York

The Declaration of Independence, with its block of cursive letters scrawled onto parchment, looks like a relic from the distant past. Likewise, you might think the 27 grievances against King George III, his government and the British people listed in the body of the document would have little relevance to our lives today.

After all, what could the specific complaints of colonists in 1776 …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

About

FAQ

Email Us