The Virtues and Vices of Democratic Governments According to Tocqueville

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The Virtues and Vices of Democratic Governments According to Tocqueville

Democracy in America was written by Tocqueville to see how such a

stable and prosperous democracy as America worked and to see why

attempts at democratic government in France had failed so

disastrously. The theme of the (often disorganised) book that emerges

is how liberty is best preserved in the midst of the growing equality

of conditions present in America. Tocqueville outlines many of the

advantages he sees in democracy from the point of view of a French

liberal. On the other hand, he also warns of the dangers of democratic

government which manifests itself in many ways. Elements exist,

however, within the American political system, that act against these

dangerous democratic tendencies, and that is why, on the whole,

Tocqueville is so admiring of American democracy.

“Democratic laws tend to promote the welfare of the greatest number.”[1]

It is clear that giving each citizen (which does not include certain

groups, for example, slaves) the ability to choose the government that

their interests will be served, rather than interests of an

aristocracy or other minority. Therefore, from a utilitarian point of

view, democracy helps establish what the interests of the majority are

in society, and helps put those interests at the forefront of

decision-making. Tocqueville refutes the claim made by some that

democracy favours the prosperity of all. It does not do so, but merely

“contributes to the well-being of the greatest number”[2]. The

corollary of this is that this leads to a ‘tyranny of the majority’,

which will be discussed later.

A second advantage of de...

... middle of paper ...

...de Tocqueville, Democracy in America

[2] Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America

[3] Jack Lively, Social and Political Thought of Alexis de Tocqueville

[4] Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America

[5] Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America

[6] Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America

[7] Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America

[8] Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America

[9] Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America

[10] Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America

[11] Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America

[12] Alexis de Tocqueville, Journeys to England and Ireland

[13] Siedentrop, Two Liberal Traditions

[14] Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America

[15] Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America

[16] Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America

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