Essay about Alexis de Tocqueville Democracy in America

Democracy in America has been a guiding principle since the foundation of the country. Many over the years have commented on the structure and formation of democracy but more importantly the implementation and daily function within the democratic parameters that have been set. Alexis de Tocqueville was a French political thinker and historian born July 29, 1805. He is most famously known for his work Democracy in America. Democracy in America has been an evolving social and economic reform, and has continually changed since it’s founding. America’s form of representative democracy came as a result of the transgressions Britain committed against their colonies. Several hundred years of salutary neglect served well for those living an†¦show more content†¦As a result Tocqueville was astonished at the working of democratic processes yet, was still skeptical of the possibilities the free market economy could lead to. Nations differ in language, faith, culture, trad itions and views. Thus, each government created distinctly different and formulated to best govern its constituents. This causes nations to function in a variety of ways as well as have varying public opinion. The differences represented in America at the time Tocqueville visited and wrote his book were what shaped his opinion of the differences between the United States and other countries. The first major difference Tocqueville observed upon arriving in America is the role faith played amongst the inhabitants especially Christianity. Tocqueville writes in Democracy in America, â€Å"here is no country in the whole world in which the Christian religion retains a greater influence over the souls of men than in America, and there can be no greater proof of its utility† (de Tocqueville). The principle of faith taught those in America morals and beliefs in which guided their actions for hard work and prosperity. These principles led to an ultimate betterment for the community and nation as a whole or ‘utility’. Utilitarianism is the greatest good for the most people. Thus, this utilitarian aspect of America is what brought the country together under the revolution, the formation of the constitution and the continual construction ofShow MoreRelatedDemocracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville1300 Words   |  6 PagesThe Consideration of Democracy, Blacks, and Slavery Tocqueville, in Democracy in America, dwells on the strengths and weaknesses of American democracy. When discussing race relations, he recognizes that the presence of the black race in America and the occupation of blacks in slavery could threaten the continuation of the United States as a Union and a republic. As a Union, the United States could be torn apart by the disparities between the North and the South and tensions between blacks and whitesRead MoreSummary Of Democracy Of America By Alexis De Tocqueville1314 Words   |  6 Pages In† Democracy of America† chapter XVII written by Alexis de Tocqueville, he discusses the plight of indians(natives). Tocqueville talks about how he believed the fate of Native Americans would be to completely deprived of liberty. In addition to what he believed, Tocqueville says, â€Å"The success of the Cherokees proves that the Indians are capable of civilization, but it does not prove that they will succeed in it†(page 401).Whenever the Indians were able to submit to civilization they were neverRead MoreAmerican Traditional Politics: Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville1207 Words   |  5 Pageslike myself, believe and support that equality as well as liberty are vital features to a sustainable democracy. 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Throughout his travelsRead MoreTyranny And The Social Wellbeing Of Citizens1750 Words   |  7 Pagesconcerned themselves at some point with the issue of tyranny in society. Such writers spanned from Alexis de Tocqueville, to John Stuart Mill, to Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. The interpretations and approaches taken to the subject of tyranny and how to protect against it, though, were as varied as the collection of authors who addressed it. From de Tocqueville’s stringent observations in Democracy in America, the concept of a purely political tyranny is de lineated. In contrast, Mill’s essay On LibertyRead MoreEssay about Alexis deTocqueville2501 Words   |  11 PagesAlexis deTocqueville Alexis de Tocqueville was born in Paris on July 29th, 1805. Growing up in Metz, France, the youngest child of Hervà © Tocqueville and Mlle. De Rosanbo, he showed great intellectual promise from his earliest days. 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