...Democracy in America Robin OConnell POS110 Sept 30, 2012 Jeffery Steely Democracy in America One of the most basic rights we as Americans hold dear is the right to free speech. This is a civic issue that has been at the forefront of our country since its inception. This right is imposed on the minority just as it is for the majority of the citizenry by the government in an effort to recognize every citizen and their right to voice an opinion or even disagree about the majority opinion. Our current system of government stands true to the original ideas of the framers of the Constitution yet has also stood the test of time, moving forward as we grow as a nation, and still keeping the original ideals while amending those that become outdated with more relevant laws. The key to our democratic principles remaining in place is our commitment to our civic responsibilities in the country as a whole. The Constitution includes a system of checks and balances set there to make certain that all three branches of our government, the legislative, the judicial, and the executive, all must work together to make policy. This separation of powers and the requirement that all be included in policy making is what sets our country apart in its pursuit of democratic values. It was a disturbing omission in the initial Constitution of the specific meaning of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness". The later ratification of the first ten amendments did go a long way towards clarification...
Words: 1872 - Pages: 8
...Democracy Both Jean Jacques Rousseau and Alex de Tocqueville have been profoundly influential in helping us understand the nature of our society. Their critical analysis provides a platform through which we can engage in pragmatic debate. This paper will attempt to explain the views of both authors while giving a comparative analysis of their ideas. In the early 19th century, renowned French political thinker Alex de Tocqueville embarked on a journey across the Atlantic Ocean to America. His mission was to understand what exactly made American democracy so special. Along the way, much was revealed about the American way of life. In his findings he noted the prevailing sense of individualism amongst the population. He found that most people where predominantly occupied by the notion of the “self” rather than the collective. Unsurprisingly, Tocqueville came to the conclusion that such a way of life would inevitably cause a collapse in America’s social framework. In what can only be called a remarkable display of socio-political prescience, Tocqueville also concluded that the American civilization was destined to adopt a form of governance wherein all actions would be designed to satisfy the will of the individual rather than the will of the collective. The trend towards individualism and selfishness that Tocqueville identified prompted him to come to a series of revealing predictions. He found that a culture predicated on egotism, selfishness and individualism would promote...
Words: 1187 - Pages: 5
...Democracy in America Today Pos/110 October 16, 2011 Final Project: Democracy in America Since the beginning of American Democracy it has been morphed from the founder’s format. With all its changes, it still functions as a well-constructed form of democracy that supports our nation. American democracy has both strengths and weaknesses. Government spending or over-spending is a core issue facing our nation in these economically troubled times. There are many points to be addressed regarding American government today. Adjustments within American democracy have caused us to land in our current situation of economic uncertainty. Some of these developments have actually had a negative impact on democracy and the people of America. Some have enabled us to have vast achievements within our government. Our ability to take care of ourselves and continue to achieve greatness has been diminished by some of these changes. We will always face challenges and issues in our country, but we need to be able to see these problems and move forward in a positive way. The commonality between all American’s with regard to their views on democracy is that the very status of that democracy impacts every citizen of America. There are distinct views of democracy and the issues facing American government. “Democracy is the means to select any policy maker and government, in which the policy would then represent the citizens’ preferences” (Edwards, Wattenberg, & Lineberry...
Words: 1737 - Pages: 7
...Tocqueville, a French aristocrat shares his many beliefs about America, some good and some bad in his book Democracy of America. In the introduction pages Tocqueville’s main points about the role of religion in America stem from democracy and equality. Tocqueville believes “God’s providence” has provided the people of America equality and direction in their lives. American democracy, like Christianity, plays a large role in this newfound “America.” Christians live their lives under Gods rule and this rule is not only played out spiritually between families and groups of people but also throughout cities and towns in America. For example, people being punished by the law in the states all get treated the same way when it come time for trial....
Words: 268 - Pages: 2
...Democracy: Alive in America? Everyone is nervously awaiting the final decision of the year 2000 Presidential election with George W. Bush and Al A. Gore running closely side by side. There was debate in the legitimacy of the electoral votes cast in Florida earlier in time, so the suspense rising in America’s final decision is enormous. Looks like Gore holds this trophy for popular votes with a close 543,895 votes winning over Bush. According to previous elections, Gore has this competition conquered, the results come in; George W. Bush is our new president! With a slim win by 5 electoral votes, Bush is our new president. Wait a second, popular vote is that not the votes of qualified voters of the population? In America today, political decisions are decided democratically by its residents. Although Al Gore won the popular vote, George Bush is still the decided president. Then what is democracy, where did it come from, is our current democratic society a progression or is it a regression of democracy’s evolution? America has a government decided by the population of America; at least that is of the idea of a democratic society. Let us then compare American democracy to where democracy was created. The reason why everyone votes is to make a unanimous decision of who will become the leaders of a country. Democracy is just that, a government where the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation...
Words: 1413 - Pages: 6
...Today, America is passing over the election of the new president that is going to be the main head of the country for four years. Now is when the government is playing one of the biggest roles in America. The government may change in some ways or may still the same with the new election of the new president of the Unites States. Maybe there will be new laws that we the citizens have to follow or mandates passed by the government. Although, the government of the United states is very powerful and big, and now is when it cares more to the citizens, even though some people may not see it that way. Government and democracy is what makes America today, because with one the country would be different in some many ways. The government that America...
Words: 256 - Pages: 2
...Decline of Democracy in America The founding fathers didn’t create a democracy because they thought it would work perfectly. They didn’t give people the right to vote so that everyone would find true happiness. They knew better than to create a utopia where everyone had their own white picket fence, went to church on Sunday and lead lives as model citizens. They understood that toes would get stepped on, feelings would get hurt and sacrifices would happen. The founding fathers didn’t start a revolution to make people happy, they started a revolution because they believed in the idea that everyone had the right to equality. They founded America on the belief that hard work will lead to prosperity in the land of opportunity. All the ideas we associate with America: capitalism, the free market, education, elections, these all came about because people wanted to have power over where their life took them. Being able to make decisions in your own interest: the founding fathers based America on that principal, and they structured the government so it would protect those interests. Today, this is not the case. Although it may appear that America has come a long way since the civil and women’s rights movement, increasing inequality and discrimination in the 21st century has created a democracy that no longer represents the interests of its constituents but its ruling elite. Despite people’s preconceptions that our society represents...
Words: 1373 - Pages: 6
...In a democracy like America, it is widely considered by social analysts that strength of a nation’s organization/associations determines the effectiveness of the nation's government in its ability to meet the needs of its citizens. Where political egalitarians and neo-Tocquevillian disagree however is about the manner by which society benefits from these group organizations. Generally, political egalitarians tend to believe that citizen organizations provide a service to a democratic nation by enabling people who are more or less without power to have a voice that is capable of being...
Words: 560 - Pages: 3
...Democracy is a right that many citizens hold dearly to their hearts. From small issues such as school funding to large issues like voting for president, nearly every citizen desires that their voice be heard and their opinions be carefully considered. Democracy has effectively shaped the United States as a whole. Democracy has created a sense of pride within the nation based on the ideals of freedom and opportunity. Furthermore, the country has been molded by the principles of democracy in the form of politics, morals, values, and social responsibility. The idea American Democracy was founded in the American colonies. Although at this time they had no interest in declaring independence from Brittan, they realized that they were over 3000 miles away from England and a system of government that brought the people closer together was necessary in order to thrive. As a result of this they formed the Mayflower Compact which set a precedent that the government received its power from the people. This was the first time that these Englishmen were able to elect their own ministers, church officers, and vote on which religion the group would follow. This is officially the first form of democracy in the United States....
Words: 981 - Pages: 4
...HONOURS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE COURSE POLITICAL THEORY II PA112 LECTURER MR MASUNUNGURE TEACHING ASSISTANT MR MARAWAKO TUTORIAL GROUP TUESDAY 3-4 QUESTION IN DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA, TOCQUEVILLE IS DEEPLY WORRIED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL OF DEMOCRATIC TYRANNY. DISCUSS THE VALIDITY OF THIS CONTENTION. This essay is an exposition of the concerns raised by Tocqueville in his book Democracy in America particularly his greatest concern that is the possibility of democratic tyranny/tyranny of the majority arising if democracies are left unchecked. Tocqueville observes that the movement towards democracy and equality of conditions having progressed farthest in America was likely to spread to other parts of Europe as well as the rest of the world hence moving him to analyse democratic governments in order to ascertain the merits and demerits of such governments thereby providing substantial solutions to help counter the ills of democracy. These ills are inclusive of democratic tyranny which according to Adamova (2013: 1) is tyranny of the majority founded in public opinion. Tocqueville notes with profound insight that democratic tenets include equality of social conditions, liberty, and active participation of individuals in political matters amongst others however he laments the possibility of democracies becoming a tool of oppression of the minority emotionally amongst others if the majority are allowed to will absolute power and have unrestrained influence over government...
Words: 2248 - Pages: 9
...Aristotle and Alexis De Tocqueville’s teachings on morality and happiness creates a similarity in their virtues that protecting rights of the people help produce happiness in a democracy. Aristotle discusses in the essay “ The Aim of Man”, that we aim to set goals to lead us into happiness. He believes that happiness is an activity for our soul. The soul is an inanimate object that can be driven by passion, which drives a person to do certain tasks in their life. These actions lead into happiness if the task is done successfully. Aristotle’s teachings on happiness collides with Alexis De Tocqueville’s teaching that Americans need a daily support of some energetic passion. Happiness from Americans will occur by protecting the American people’s...
Words: 1064 - Pages: 5
...Alexix de Toqueville's book, Democracy in America, compares the way the French and American governments function. Specificity in chapter 11, Liberty of the Press in the United States, contrasts the media and how they portray "news". He starts off by saying that "the press does not affect political opinions alone, but extends to all the options"(p. 1). Later in the chapter he also references how the media is the most common, if not only means of getting information. He compares the French to the American media to justify his claim that the press can cause a great influence on how you view facts, and how the press can influence your opinion. "The press cannot create human passions, however skillfully it may kindle them where they exist"(p. 3). He goes on by stating in America political news is not affected by passionate citizens you truly care about the actual problems, rather than American passion in news mainly focuses on petty interests and consumerism. The intellectual part of the media have been depleted if not completely removed from our grasp. Whereas in France the main focus of the press is based on political interest and advertisements are limited. Other points Tocqueville make on American media is how we attack each other's ideas. "The United States has no metropolis;... instead of radiating from a common point they cross each other in every direction the Americas have nowhere established any central direction of opinion”(p.4). Our opinions are no longer formed on facts...
Words: 539 - Pages: 3
...Besides summary, the discussion part should further involve a comparison of social thinkers. Read and discuss more original and/or secondary readings. Give your own views, and try to conduct a dialogue with the existing views. In this thesis, I will give a summary of the works by Alexis de Tocqueville and Karl Marx, a discussion on their ideas as well as a comparison of the two thinkers. Alexis de Tocqueville is an aristocrat thinker From France that provides the most famous and influential views on democracy. In his work “Democracy in America”, he regards America as a land of liberty and democracy due to reasons like mores, geographical and historical advantages, but also provides a foresight on the future of democracy in America, and the threats to democracy and possible dangers of democracy. He believes the puritans were the one that contributed the most to American democracy, since they were all middle-class men with no salient differences when they first settled down in America. Also, they brought religion and political liberty to Amercia. Marx and Tocqueville holds different views on human nature. For Marx, he reflected on what it means to be truly human. Since he thinks that all species-beings are communal beings, he disaprroves things like religion, wage-labour and other forms of alienation that bring us far away from our communal nature and we must overcome them. For tocqueville, he emphazied a lot on dignity and liberty and he thinks that we are all born free and that...
Words: 2277 - Pages: 10
...An Exploration of Individualism As Described By Alexis de Tocqueville in Democracy In America By Mario A. Griseta Jr The classic work Democracy In America by Alexis de Tocqueville has been the source of scholarly pursuit as well as strife within that same community. Through a brief examination of this text, several of Tocqueville’s arguments helped to define, for me, many of the constructs that made America what it was and that have led to what it has become today. Of the many themes and ideas presented by Tocqueville, his thoughts on individualism struck the loudest chord with me. Tocqueville describes America as a society of joiners because of the fact that it is a country almost entirely composed of immigrants. This, in addition to the pursuit and promise of “equality of conditions” that Americas touted as an unofficial theme, brought citizens from many classes together in closer proximity and relation. Although this sounds like a good thing, and I believe it is, Tocqueville argued that with this blending of social classes and as opportunity increased people would isolate themselves, "bond of human affections is extended and loosened" (p. 483). As people gained wealth and left behind the daily struggle to survive many sought out education and as a result of this enlightenment developed the "habit of always considering themselves in isolation" (p. 484). This individualism is likened to selfishness by Tocqueville but he is careful to point out that he does not believe...
Words: 1293 - Pages: 6
...Market Driven Democracy The first fifty years of the 19th century set the terms of the United States' economic and democratic systems. The interweaving of politics, commerce, trade, and society began in this time and those first bonds formed still effect United States life today. This connection between economics and life is rooted in the emergence of the market economy, which served to establish the ideals of American “democracy” that we connect with now. This divergence from the former moral economy served to make the United States actually less democratic, forever establishing an upper class of owners and forming social roles about race, class, gender and family that encouraged inequality and persist today. This establishment of inequality is exemplified in the images of work attached to the prompt, and show how these roles were seen and formed within the culture. The image of the Erie Canal Workers shows the change from an earlier ideal of American life and labor, where ones labor was to be used to work and cultivate your own land to sustain your own living. This image of the Erie Canal workers shows the exact opposite of this self owned concept for labor. All of these men are essentially being used as machines, good for nothing but labor, to work and make use of the land owned by someone else, for someone else's profit. The fruits of their labor would not be actual fruits as they might previously have been, but a monetary amount, to be budgeted as best as possible to...
Words: 1807 - Pages: 8
