ipl-logo

Alexis De Tocqueville: Democracy In America

1408 Words6 Pages

Political theorist Alexis de Tocqueville, in his book Democracy in America, attempted to show why representative democracy succeeded in the United States and argues for the superiority of democracy, believing “Islam cannot dominate for long in enlightened and democratic times" . In his book, Islamic Government, Ayatollah Khomeini, former Supreme Leader of Iran, offers a different point of view, arguing that the best government is one that is run in accordance with sharia law. Khomeini underscores the need for the union of church and state, and condemns all other forms of governments for being anti-Islamic and allowing immorality to reign. The following essay will evaluate the arguments posed on behalf of Islamic government and Liberal Democracy …show more content…

Political freedom and democracy are strengthened by religion because it helps to Americans live with good mores, which are necessary for the “responsible” use of freedom . Tocqueville further argues the separation of church and state in the United States is good for Christianity itself. The support given to governments changes from day to day and sometimes a government is circled with nothing but “bitter passions” . The unity of church and state would put the church in the worldly realm, making it seem just as fragile as civil government. Thus, when government becomes weak, religion would be in danger. He believes therefore that religion is better off if it gains support without the state, keeping itself clear of political affairs and gaining support without state coercion. Americans are happy with separation of church and state and the government works towards the good of the most people possible, making democracy the highest form of …show more content…

The first, and some would argue the only necessary, reason for the supremacy of Islamic government is the fact that it Islamic law is the comprehensive, divine law of God. The fundamental difference between the laws of liberal democracy and that of Islamic government is that the laws of democracy are simply laws made by men. It is folly to believe that laws made by imperfect men are superior to the divine ordinances of God . Khomeini believed that the path to happiness began in the implementation and following of God’s divine law . The fact that Islam is comprehensive means that God as already provided for every aspect of human life including government and society. Tocqueville had his reservations about democracy, acknowledging that democracy is not perfect. There are legitimate concerns over the rule of the majority who would rather have representatives who agree with their views than ones who would create good laws . The tyranny of the majority not only allows for subpar laws but also makes it so that democratic government is not working towards the benefit of all is citizens. Khomeini would argue that Islamic government does not have this problem because rulers keep the good of their entire people in mind, because all who follow the divine path are destined for happiness. A ruler must not bow down to whims of the

Show More
Related

Differences Between Louis Xiv Rule And In Democracy

106 Words | 1 Pages

Despite seeing some differences in the inexorability of Louis XIV's rule and in democracy, the concept of religion is a crucial aspect that is present in both Democracy In America and Louis XIV's rule. For instance, at Versailles, the very presence of the royal chapel connects Louis XIV's rule with God. Essentially, God has given him to the right to be king and anyone opposing Louis XIV would essentially be opposing God himself. It is a semi-divine status where Louis is not equivalent to God but acts as a vehicle for God. It also establishes that he is rule serves a political, natural, and divine

Read More

Was America Founded A Christian Nation Summary

994 Words | 4 Pages

The first focuses on the history of the idea that America is a Christian nation. Then, he looks at the American Revolution and the role Christianity played in it. John Fea aims the last few chapters at the religious beliefs of presidents and other influential people during the first years of America. As one reads, the various points John Fea makes, they may alter his/her own viewpoint.

Read More

Summary Of The Expansion Of Vote By Alexis De Toqueville

1270 Words | 6 Pages

Alexis de Toqueville, a Frenchman and author of Democracy in America, wrote that he “saw America as 'the image of democracy itself, with its inclinations, its character, its prejudices, and its passions’” (Feller). Toqueville wrote this statement during Andrew Jackson's first presidential term. In the election of 1824, between Jackson and John Quincy Adams, Jackson received the most popular votes and electoral college votes, but he did not acquire the necessary simple majority. As a result, the election was transferred to the House of Representatives where each state would get one vote.

Read More

Examples Of From Democracy In America By Alex De Tocqueville

335 Words | 2 Pages

Alex de Tocqueville explored aspects of the perplexing American Union Federal system in “From Democracy in America” whilst searching for a successful government style that would eradicate the failing and outdated monarchy of France. de Tocqueville first opens his excerpt by examining the lack of separation of power between head of state and congress, stating how both entities withheld the ability to “use the militias in cases of insurrection or invasion” (From Democracy in America) which consequently caused chaos during the War of 1812. This haphazard policy caused de Tocqueville to question the effectiveness of the federal system because the “absurd and destructive doctrines received not only the sanction of the Governors and the legislature,

Read More

How Did Puritan Beliefs Shaped American Society

810 Words | 4 Pages

Christian faith and belief permeated domestic life, and Puritans “invested family life with religious values. ”10 The church had become not only a center of worship, but also of identity and of culture. Communal life was played out centered in the church, and the “village church [was ] both the locus of religious activity and the focal point of the culture, the institution through which communal ideas and values achieved their fullest expression”11 Identifying with the Christian faith enabled the community to come together and become a society and then to become a state. Christianity had become a way of life and way of identification with the New World that was now predominantly Christian, and as stated earlier, the federal government does not determine the will of the people, but rather it is the local government that is the true voice of the

Read More

How Did The Puritans Integrate Their Ideas Into Their Society

1245 Words | 5 Pages

This also exemplifies how rigidly the church and state were connect, due to the fact that it was congregational rule which chose its leaders rather than just the citizens of that area. Further demonstrating the power of religion in political matters is the idea that by

Read More

Summary Of Democracy In America By Tocqueville

386 Words | 2 Pages

Democracy is the foundation of the American government, and its application creates the opportunity of social class intermingling. Albeit in the form of social interaction or working one’s way up the chain of command. The labor standoff between the Homestead workers and management became the tipping point for manners in American democracy. This tipping point resulted in violent altercations, assassination attempts, and ultimately broken spirits. The Homestead strike in the 19th century not only exemplifies how democracy instigated class blending, but also diminished morality.

Read More

How Is Tocqueville Relevant Today

1352 Words | 6 Pages

“I have tried to see not differently but further…”(Tocqueville, 1835) was Alexis de Tocqueville’s conclusion to the introduction of his perennial classic text Democracy in America, and adumbrates to the reader of his modern ideas and observations that were to follow. At the same time, he measures the progress of society through its relationship with equality and liberty. In this paper, I will highlight Tocqueville’s use of equality and liberty to compare the past and the modern, and establish his views on the effects of these concepts with society and each other. Finally, I will put forth that Tocqueville does not favour one concept over the other, but notes the complex relationship between the two and the importance of the co-existence of liberty and equality for a society of people. To begin, let us build the base case to compare with and look the past as defined by Tocqueville, with emphasis on equality and liberty.

Read More

Pros And Cons Of Democracy Tocqueville

822 Words | 4 Pages

Tocqueville feared that in a democracy the people would assume that the truth always lies with the majority, since individuals are prone to trust public opinion over the ideas of the minority, crumbling citizens’ ability to question their government 's authority and to think for themselves. The dangers of unchecked and unlimited power in America’s centralized government would become the majority and lead to the absolute tyranny. However, while the government is centralized, its sphere of influence is limited because of the decentralized administration. American is able to moderate the political tyranny of the majority through the checks and balances in the three branch system of government made by the decentralized administration, but must take caution of a social tyranny of the majority being

Read More

Thomas Jefferson Research Paper

834 Words | 4 Pages

Thomas Jefferson’s works and ideas laid the foundation for several key aspects on the limits of the United States government, the idea of separation of church and state, and the importance of personal rights. Jefferson wrote many influential pieces of literature which pushed the concept of having limited government power. Jefferson wanted America not to be like the European monarchies that fell due to religious strife, so he emphasized a secular government. Jefferson, following closely with the ideas of John Locke, stressed the importance of the protection of individual rights against the government. Thomas Jefferson believed that a government should have limitations.

Read More

Democracy In The Great Gatsby

1408 Words | 6 Pages

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.

Read More

Differences And Similarities Between Marx And De Tocqueville

200 Words | 1 Pages

De Tocqueville doesn 't view liberty as an attribute part of the democratic era. He believes that the only character that is associated with this era is equality. He explains in his theory that people of this era prize equality over liberty, although he doesn 't deny that democratic people value liberty, because everyone can take part in it and enjoy it effortlessly, as opposed to liberty where you have to "sacrifice" to achieve it (De Tocqueville, 1835). He holds that equality creates individualism, which means people separate themselves from one another, their ancestors and the future generations, that leads to tyranny and despotism. On the contrary, he claims that during the aristocratic ages, people were not selfish and careless about others ' needs because "aristocracy links everybody, from peasant to king" (De Tocqueville, 1835).

Read More

Summary Of Democracy In America By Alexis De Tocqueville

1052 Words | 5 Pages

In Democracy in America, Alexis de Tocqueville provides an analysis and critique of American civic life. During his travels across the country, he discovered how different America was from Europe, particularly France. While the majority of Europe consisted of aristocratic countries with hundreds of years of history, America was a young democratic country. Most notably, he observed that America was growing in equality. The growing equality becomes a presupposition of individualism and isolation, but despite this inevitable growth of equality, individualism and isolation can be minimized.

Read More

Locke Vs Tocqueville Analysis

1084 Words | 5 Pages

Introduction: While freedom as a concept feels fairly intuitive, nuances in interpretation can change the basis of an argument. John Locke’s Second Treatise of Government and Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America do not define liberty in precisely the same way, which in turn guides two different visions in how a government should function. When examining a core concept in an argument, it is important to inquire to whether its treatment is adequate. Is either definition of liberty sufficient, and does either author’s envisioned government adequately address liberty in that system? This paper will argue that Locke’s definition of liberty remains in the literal sphere while Tocqueville’s is more conceptual, but neither Locke’s nor Tocqueville’s

Read More

Summary Of John Stuart Mill's Consideration On Representative Government

1128 Words | 5 Pages

Mill even posits that religion becomes stunted under such absolute power. Religion, as a possible source of moral knowledge and Faith, ceases to have a social aspect; the human person begins to only have a spiritual relationship with the divine .As such, one’s religious concerns become ones of private salvation with no concern for

Read More

More about Alexis De Tocqueville: Democracy In America

Related Topics

Open Document