Political Thinking

POL 161

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Alexis de Tocqueville - Democracy in
America
Tocqueville was a French aristocrat that
traveled the US in the early 1830’s
When he returned to France he wrote about
his experiences in a 2 volume work titled
Democracy in America
Saw democracy as an irresistible force, and
felt that it was basically a good thing
He also warned that democracy promotes
mediocrity
It promotes mediocrity because it celebrates
equality
When everyone is equal there will be
pressures to conform
Called this pressure to conform “the tyranny
of the majority”
Alexis de Tocqueville Democracy in
America
Common people are easily swayed by
strong leaders who mislead the masses
leading to tyranny or despotism
An aristocracy would help prevent this
because a class of people with
elevated property and privileges will
protect against this
Once democracy and equality
overcome the aristocracy there is
nothing to stop despotism from
destroying liberty
Alexis de Tocqueville Democracy in
America
Tocqueville did see a positive in democracy
One that joined republicanism to the democratic
ideal
He felt civic virtue could be promoted
through participation
When neighbors begin to work together to
solve problems they get attached to their
community
This then allows the individuals to think
about community before themselves
This massive participation could lead to a
deep rooted devotion to the common good
Tocqueville specifically loved New England
Town Hall meetings and shared
responsibility of jury duty
Democratic Participation and
Political Education- J.S. Mill
In 19th century England, the discussion
favoring democracy centered on two
concerns
Self-protection
Self-development
The “philosophical radicals” know as the
Utilitarian's, the duty of the government is “to
promote the greatest happiness of the
greatest number”
They figured the best way to do this was
through a representative democracy
This will have elected men that will look out
for citizens best interests
Democratic Participation and
Political Education- J.S. Mill
Mill feels that political participation is
valuable because it allows for self-
development
Like Tocqueville, Mill feels democracy
strengthens the virtue of common
people
For Mill it is political participation not
merely voting for representatives that
will educate and improve people
This will teach them discipline, sharpen
their intelligence, and shape their
morality
Democratic Participation and
Political Education- J.S. Mill
Pg. 52 (Still more salutatory…He is made to
feel himself one of the public, and whatever
is for their benefit to be for his benefit.)
This quote shows the gradual extension of
the democratic franchise in the last 150
years.
The right to vote for all males was not
accomplished until 1885 in Britain
The US did not see the vote extend to all
citizens until the passing of the 19th
amendment
Switzerland, the world’s oldest democracy
did not grant women the right to vote until
1971
Democratic Participation and
Political Education- J.S. Mill
As late as the 1960’s blacks in the US saw
huge obstacles to voting such as poll taxes
and literacy tests
Are we over this obstacle, have we achieved
full democratic participation?
All and all almost everyone in the so –called
Western democracies accepts democracy as
the best from of government
But those countries that are not democratic
claim it is the worst kind of evil
Do you agree?
The Democratic Ideal Review
Democracy is now so popular that most
ideologies claim to favor it
However they all interpret the word
differently and tend to compete with others
Democracy is not a single thing, as our brief
history makes painstakingly clear
Democracy is a lot like “true love”, most all
desire it, and it is definitely defined differently
by each person
We all agree that democracy is “rule by the
people” but exactly what that means is
vague
Who are people? Common people? Land
Owners? Adult Males? Everyone? Felons?
The Democratic Ideal Review
How are they to rule?
Direct? Indirect?
If others vote for you do you cease to govern
yourself?
Should we follow majority rule?
How then do you protect minority rights when
they offend the majority?
If we limit majority rule, are we retreating
from democracy?
Term limits- are these good?
Do they actually help make the government
responsive to the people?
Do they make America less democratic because
we are not allowed to vote for those
representatives we like, time and again?
The Democratic Ideal Review
Sick of questions yet? (wow, that was a
question too!)
The obvious point is that we even in this
class, much like our government have
multiple answers to these questions
Do all these questions prove how unstable
democracy is?
This is generally the reason that the United
States is a republic
Which one do you think cares more power
with the American people?
This is why we have created our hybrid of
Democratic Republicanism
The Democratic Ideal Review
Democracy does remain attractive
because of its connection to freedom
and equality
Does it imply that everyone will be free
and equal to each other?