ipl-logo

America Alexis De Tocqueville Analysis

953 Words4 Pages

This effect, however, does not end there, and the wish to ensure means of living goes on to include the blind pursuit of comforts - the acquirement of which, according to Tocqueville, “haunts the imagination of the poor,” while the rich “dread of losing them” (245). Not so in societies with hereditary wealth, where the rich and poor alike remain in the conditions in which they are born and therefore are accustomed to it. They do not pursue comforts as a goal, but simply accept the presence of them (or lack thereof) as a way of living (244). The democratic American character, however, is more uniquely influenced by equality and the circulation of wealth. All inhabitants can taste of the comforts of the world, and then, in the pursuit of more, “shut out the rest of the world” until the chase “absorbs them wholly … enervate[s] the soul, and …show more content…

Democracy is often loudly declared to be the correct form of government, but the very principles that it is built from can have tendencies towards less laudable consequences. As Tocqueville examined democracy in America, he attempted to discover the origin of democratic principles and the potential for them to turn sour over time. Such a line of questioning is important to the long-term stability of the democratic system, and Tocqueville discusses many tendencies in democracy that he believes lead towards a degradation of society. He holds that essential characteristics of the democratic character such as equality, liberty, and individualism can also result issues such as majority tyranny, a herd mentality, low asperations, and despotism. He thought that these issues could arise in democracy over time if sufficient measures were not taken against them, and it is worthwhile to consider that what he discovered could someday happen might be already taking

Show More
Related

Tocqueville Civil War Analysis

105 Words | 1 Pages

Then Tocqueville surprised me even more. He could tell that we were on our way to civil war. I don’t recall anyone in American telling us we were going to enter the bloodiest conflict in American history if we didn’t change how we treated our slaves. But Tocqueville looked at that relationship and realized that if the South continued to own slaves and treat them like pack-animals then at some point, someone was going to break. I find it a little insulting that a foreigner, who stayed in America all of 9 months, was able to detect a brewing conflict that we were blind to.

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

Summary Of Rachel Sherman's A Very Expensive Ordinary Life: Conflicted Consumption

776 Words | 4 Pages

In Rachel Sherman’s “A Very Expensive Ordinary Life: Conflicted Consumption,” the argument centres around the “legitimization” of wealth by the New York’s upper class in order to be seen as not only rich, but morally worthy. The possession of great wealth alongside their less fortunate peers could be uncomfortable also for those that hold the city’s riches. Hence, New York’s affluent has “legitimized” their wealth and consumption, or on a more macro level, the inequality between the social classes in the city in order to feel more comfortable in their spending, and to manage the impression of the wealthy in the eyes of the greater public in the much morally contested behaviour of lavish spending in an unequal society. This is supported throughout the reading by the justification of excessive spending and consumption by the claim that the rich live an “ordinary” life. The need that they feel towards justifying their spending comes to show that their amount of spending is excessive in the eyes of the ordinary person, in which they also acknowledge themselves as well.

Read More

Hatshepsut Achievements

1829 Words | 8 Pages

Hatshepsut was one of the most influential and powerful pharaohs of the 18th Dynasty of Egypt. She faced an abundance of discrimination and prejudice during her rule solely because she was a commanding female ruler in a time when patriarchy was the dominating norm. Therefore she had to overcome many preconceived notions about women in power that were constructed by generations of male pharaohs before her. Despite many obstacles, like an eradication attempt, Hatshepsut altered the social standards regarding women in Ancient Egyptian society. In doing so, she proved that women could be self-sufficient and fully functioning leaders, gave divine legitimacy to their rules, and carved a path for future female rulers throughout the world.

Read More

American Exceptionalism Tocqueville Summary

1362 Words | 6 Pages

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.

Read More

Tocqueville Revolution

760 Words | 4 Pages

The 1848 French revolution, also known, as the February Revolution was one of many that took place in Europe in the 1840s. This revolution ended the monarchy rule and led to the French Second Republic to be formed. Following the fall of King Louis Phillippie to his throne in February at the beginning of the revolution, the elected government of the French Second Republic now ruled France. In the months that came, the people elected an assembly that took a course that became more conservative. But then many radical reforms were introduced and the plan was to dissemble the National Workshops that had been made to provide jobs to the unemployed.

Read More

What Are The Economic Effects Of Jacksonian Democracy

949 Words | 4 Pages

The Democracy in America (1831) document also shows division and the power that comes with it. “A nation may present immense fortunes and extreme wretchedness; but unless those fortunes are territorial, there is no aristocracy, but simply the class of the rich and that of the poor…” There will always be a distinguishing difference between the rich and poor but people can also be in control of what category they fall in. These indications show that the Jacksonian Democracy is in support of the

Read More

William Domhoff's Who Rules America

1109 Words | 5 Pages

William Domhoff’s investigation into America’s ruling class is an eye-opening and poignant reading experience, even for individuals enlightened on the intricacies of the US social class system. His book, Who Rules America, explains the fundamental failures in America’s governing bodies to provide adequate resources for class mobility and shared power amongst classes. He identifies history, corporate and social hierarchies, money-driven politics, a two-party system, and a policy-making process orchestrated by American elites as several causes leading to an ultimate effect of class-domination theory pervading American society. In articulating his thesis and supporting assertions, Domhoff appeals rhetorically toward an audience with prior knowledge

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

Democratic American Constitution

1217 Words | 5 Pages

How Democratic Is the American Constitution? Robert A. Dahl wrote a book that critically analyses the much respected constitution of the United States of America. The author examines the democratic nature of the American Constitution both in the way it was enacted and whether it contains principles of democracy in it (Dahl, 2003, p.1). The entire book has been dedicated to highlighting various aspects of the American constitution more especially the historical views of the document. From the onset sets it clear that the aim of his book is not to propose changes to the American constitution but to suggest changes in the way Americans think about their constitution (Dahl, 2003, p. 1).

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

Essay On The American Revolution

544 Words | 3 Pages

Problems in America only grew worse when democracy was being added to the mixture of already complicated politics. In Woody Holton’s book, Unruly American and the Origins of the Constitution, he stated that, “many Americans. . . were growing ‘tired of an excess of democracy,’ a ‘prevailing rage of excessive democracy. . .’ [or] ‘democratical tyranny.’” Democracy was an attempt at home rule among the colonies, but not everyone was happy with this extreme excess of colonial citizens contribution to the government.

Read More

Definition Essay On Democracy

1127 Words | 5 Pages

“Democracy is beautiful in theory; in practice it is a fallacy,” said Benito Mussolini. By the time one enters the third grade they become aware of concept of democracy. Specifically in America, one is taught that they live in a democratic society. When asking what is democracy, the answer is never truly defiente. The answers given may be; a society where everyone votes, or by dictionary definition “a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of the state; typically through elected representation.”

Read More

More about America Alexis De Tocqueville Analysis

Related Topics

Open Document