Tocqueville in Democracy in America, Term Paper

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However, in the pursuit of freedom and liberty through democratic government, the citizens of the state should not pursue an unattainable type of social equality. The United States, according to DeTocqueville, stresses equality. This stress on equality distinguishes America from the democracies that existed before it. Absolute equality is impossible to achieve and cannot be legislated. Rather than overly emphasize the majority rule as is commonly done in American democracy, citizens should value all opinions and allow for freedom of expression.

American democracy also differs from other democracies in that American culture fosters individuality in a way that was never practiced in the past. Part of the essence of the American culture is self-determination, the sense of entitlement that many Americans continue to exhibit. This sense of entitlement gave rise to the notion of "manifest destiny." DeTocqueville also shows how materialism in American society distinguishes its democracy from those before it. The sense of entitlement that stems from the cult of the individual is also evident in the rampant materialism that American society falls pray to. Because American citizens value material wealth and the absolute freedom to pursue it no matter what, the laws of the state begin to reflect those principles and social norms.

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As a result, DeTocqueville warns that American democracy could turn into subtle psychological tyranny.

American democracy is an admirable and necessary working form of democratic government and culture. DeTocqueville, in Democracy in America outlines the pros and cons of American-style democracy. While the author admires the American system and values it for its efficacy and its lessons, DeTocqueville also notes that without certain social and political checks in place, the democracy could become warped......

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