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Alexis De Tocqueville: Is Individualism A Danger To Democracy?

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Individualism has become more prominent in the atmosphere of American politics. In today’s age the question has come up in many conversations throughout the United States; can individualism be a danger to democracy? Alexis de Tocqueville who is famous French historian and political scientist who is known for his study of the American political system of Democracy in modern America. Tocqueville breaks down the origin of individualism and the consequences and dangers that individualism can have when effecting democracy. He also gives insight on ways to remedy this particular problem. Another well-known modern philosopher John Locke whose work is known for modern philosophical empiricism and political liberalism; and the authors of the federalist …show more content…

22) Once individual pull themselves alone to surround themselves with likeminded people like friends and family. The reason that Tocqueville is considering individualism to be as a wrongful judgement in the arena of political and ethical fields is because it increases the odds of tyranny and will decrease selflessness. “Selfishness blights the gem of all virtue; individualism, at first, only saps the virtues of public life; but in the long run it attacks and destroys all others.”(Tocqueville, Pg. …show more content…

“…individualism, at first, only saps the virtues of public life; but in the long run it attacks and destroys all others…” (Tocqueville Pg. 22) According to this state meant by Tocqueville believes that individualism causes separation from one another which in the long run can cause disruption to the democratic view. He also saw participation in public affairs as growth in association; that religion and the right understanding of self-interest is the only way to fight against the America’s democracy and the effect that individualism has on democracy. Individualism produces equality that makes despotism dangerous to equality. When bringing people together with a common belief; Tocqueville believes religion is one of the only ways to combat individualism. With a central belief system like religion that teaches people to use their freedom and come together for a common purpose to each a common goal. Tocqueville states that Christianity teaches men to benefit their fellow creatures for the love of god. In a different book

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