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American exceptionalism alexis de tocqueville essay
Qualities of american exceptionalism
Qualities of american exceptionalism
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Throughout this document, Alexis De Tocqueville explained to the audience his own interpretation of Democracy in America. At some points, Tocqueville compares the American democracy to the European democracy. Tocqueville begins this document by stating that “In America, the authority exercised by the legislatures is supreme:nothing prevents them from accomplishing their wishes with celerity and with irresistible power, and they are supplied with new representatives every year. ”(Tocqueville pg 257). Tocqueville also points out that America is the country where laws last the shortest time.
Tocqueville witnessed that even though Americans are born with the same status, certain groups still struggled with inequality. Different races and genders created a separation, thus
American Exceptionalism was coined by Alexis de Tocqueville in his book Democracy in America. To illustrate how the American way of thought is superior to the other ways of the world, Tocqueville expresses that the American way of thought is distinctively unique and special. This distinction is exemplified through liberty, egalitarianism, individualism, populism, and Laissez-Faire Economics. These qualities prove America’s exceptionality and difference from other countries. Although American Exceptionalism originated in the early 1800s, the idyllic values Tocqueville paints in his book can be seen throughout American history.
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America’s economic system and practice of meritocracy drive these societal advancements. Capitalism rewards hard work and punishes laziness or the inability to work. Whether or not this system is fair, it has inspired individuals to innovate and instill a sense of competition throughout America for centuries. In his Why the Americans are so Restless in the Midst of their Prosperity, Alexis de Tocqueville claims, “However democratic, then, the social state and the political constitution of a people may be, it is certain that every member of the community will always find out several points about him which overlook his own position; and we may foresee that his looks will be doggedly fixed in that direction” (Tocqueville). Tocqueville criticizes the uneasiness that Americans consistently possess with their place in society.
What it means to be an American Argumentative Essay “It takes one, to know one” a quote by the Unknown. America has many different people with many different races. Every single person, no matter where they originated from, or where their ancestors originated from, has the power to make the world a better place. The article is about a life of a man who came from France and fought in the French and Indian War. He was one of the few people who stayed behind and accepted the new beginnings of a new, free world.
In the year 1831, a Frenchman travelled to the newly established United States of America to research ideas that make America what it is. This man, Alexis de Tocqueville, made his journey in America over 9 months covering 7,000 miles of land. In Tocqueville’s book published in 1835, Democracy in America, the observations he made would help to define what people think America represents. From his finds, the political and cultural atmosphere surrounding America’s great sense of democracy is the primary source of identity for what makes America special.
Integrity is “the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles”. In the crucible, john proctor shows this definition through his actions and words. He stands up for what he believes in despite the consequences he may face. For example, when the proctor shows his commitment to the truth and justice. He states “ Because it is my name!
According to the text “ Manifest Destiny is the belief that the United States had an absolute obligation and right to spread democratic settlement, briefly lost force once the American outskirts filled in with American settlement” (Barnes & Bowles, 2014). Some people might put Manifest Destiny as the idea of taking it by force, the attitude of taking and conquering lands and territory no matter what it cost. American exceptionalism is the belief that the United States is a remarkably free country in light of equitable goals and individual freedom. According to (Tyrell, n.d) “ in its classic forms, American exceptionalism refers to the distinctive character of the United States as a uniquely free nation based on democratic ideals and personal
Individuals lay the foundation of America. The Founding Fathers of this unique nation broke their allegiance with Great Britain to create an improved governing body. They desired an individual-centered authority as opposed to Britain’s monarchy, which ruled with tyranny. These Founding Fathers experienced a neglectful democratic monarchy that cared little about the ethical treatment of its people. The domineering actions of Britain challenged these historic individuals to form a new cultural identity.
The reality during the time was tyranny; liberties being destroyed; rules being broken; people treated unfairly. What better time was it for such meaningful ideas to come forth? “American exceptionalism refers to qualities that were first observed in the opening century of our history” (Murray 6). Throughout this article, Gordon Wood undoubtedly believes that this rhetoric the Americans possessed was a very exceptional trait. While this rhetoric was exceptional over 200 years ago, sadly it has not remained.
Alexis de Tocqueville penned Democracy in America after he spent month America in the 1831, where he witnessed a new democratic system. He found it’s concepts to have unique strengths and weaknesses that he believed could be the inspiration for the new government of post-revolution France. The concepts of limiting individualism, encouraging positive associations, and moderating the tyranny of the majority that Tocqueville observed during his trip in America helped maintain the new democratic republic built after the revolution. As soon as America became free from British rule, their groundwork for their new government helped cement them as a true democracy since it contended with individualism. Tocqueville noticed that after a successful
America is exceptional, but it has not lived up to its full potential. America has achieved many great things, but has also managed to go too far and ruin what started out as a great idea. A prime example of what started out as a great idea but was then corrupted would be Americanization. America also fell short in the way workers were treated in its means of industrializing.
Scholars from all over the Western world have analyzed and discussed the impact of democracy has had for the citizens of the United States, for over 200 years. Each new period throughout American history, has brought a new concept of being an individual in a democratic society. One flaw scholars from the late nineteenth century saw with democracy was that the majority ruled and if an individual part of the minority their voices were not heard, even if the minority was just and the majority unjust. Thus the democracy most Americans are proud to have is primarily individualistic and can be deemed corrupt because of the focus of majority rule, which might not be the wisest decision. Alexis de Tocqueville was a French writer who wrote several essays on his visit to the United States.
Americans have often believed that they were exceptional. American exceptionalism is the claim that Americans have “a moral purpose of acting altruistically in defense of freedom and democracy... with the aim of maintaining peace, of spreading justice or of defending human rights.” (New World Encyclopedia). They also believe that the United States must be a positive role model for the world.
