The Disadvantages of Compromise

     There are many ways we can disagree with each other whether it is with words, violence, or action.  But sometimes, our arguments can get out of hand, and compromise has been a legitimate solution to some of humanity's gravest conflicts.  However, compromise may not be as simple as it looks. While compromise can often be a valuable and necessary tool in resolving conflicts and making decisions, there are also potential disadvantages to consider.

    Henry David Thoreau was a staunch advocate for following moral principles and individual conscience, as expressed in his essay "Civil Disobedience"  There is an underlying principle of compromising that Thoreau would most likely disagree with.  Thoreau clearly conveyed his idea of individual conscience as the ultimate moral authority.  He believed that individuals should stick to what they think is moral, even if it meant disobeying unjust laws or government actions.  Compromising, in his view, would be a betrayal of one's core values. For instance, the Missouri Compromise of 1820 kept the peace between the northern and southern states by equalizing the number of states on both sides, but it failed to answer the ongoing question of slavery and its place in the future.  Compromising served as an "exit ticket" that pushed away some of the most needed discussions that could immediately counter the morality of slavery.

    Though compromise has its place to resolve problems quickly, it can be fundamentally flawed and is wrongfully used to indirectly treat individuals like "men of straw or a lump of dirt".

The Missouri Compromise of 1820.