Alexis de Tocquevilles Democracy in America :: American America History

Alexis de Tocquevilles Democracy in AmericaAlexis de Tocquevilles visit to the United States in the early part of the nineteenth century prompted his work Democracy in America, in which he expressed the ability to make democracy work. passim his travels Tocqueville noted that private interest and personal gain motivated the actions of or so Americans, which in turn cultivated a strong sense of various(prenominal)ism. Tocqueville believed that this individualism would soon sap the virtue of public life (395) and create a despotism of selfishness. This growing of despotism would be created by citizens becoming similarly individualistic, and accordingly not bothering to fulfill their polite duties or exercise their freedom. Tocqueville feared that the governwork forcetal couch of America would soon become aimed at the satisfaction of individual needs, rather than the greater good of society. Alexis de Tocqueville viewed participation in public affairs, the growth of associati ons and newspapers, the principle of self-interest properly understood, and religion as the only marrow by which American democracy could combat the effects of individualism. Given that despots with cart every interest in keeping batch isolated, the individualism resulting from equivalence makes despotism a great danger to equality. Despotism... sees in the separation among men the surest guarantee of its continuance, and it usually makes every effort to keep them separate (399). utilization freedom through participation in public affairs is therefore extremely vital because it gives people a personal interest in thinking about others in society. Local self-governments are important because they draw people together, and it is therefore more the likes ofly that they will exercise their liberty. Tocqueville states that as soon as a man begins to treat of public affairs in public, he begins to perceive that he is not so main(a) of his spouse men as he had first imagined, and th at in order to obtain their support he must often lend them his cooperation (400). When people act together they frequently form dependencies on one another, especially when they are working for the good of the entire community. Another means by which Tocqueville believes it is possible to contest individualism is to form associations and write newspapers. He believes that like local governments, associations help people to realize their dependence on their fellow citizens and take interest in public affairs. It is crucial to have institutions and civic duties which force people to look beyond their own interests and think about the problems of the community.

Personal Narrative - The Day the Police Came for Me :: Personal Narrative

The Day the Police Came for MeThe door receptive and in walked the hated vice-principal of my high school, who walked straight up to my 3rd second English teacher and whispered something into his ear. They both turned and looked in my direction. I stared back blankly, wondering why they were looking at me. Through an doubtless bad experience in high school, I learned a in truth valuable lesson about life, people, and events.Mr. Burton, also the dean of discipline, asked me to come upon my things and come with him. I obeyed as my mind scanned itself over and over to conceive of of what I had d matchless. I had always been a good kid in school, had always received at least honor roll or principals list every quarter since elementary school, and neer got in trouble. Yet, here I was riding with the vice-principal in his golf baby carriage through the rows of cars in the student parking lot, until he stopped tail assembly mine. We got out and then he asked me to open my clay, and then asked a very confusing and ridiculous question at the time, Do you have a gun or any other weapon in your vehicle? I almost laughed at him, and then stopped, realizing I did have a pellet gun I accidentally left in my car. How he knew or why he cared I didnt know, so I said Yeah I have a b.b. gun chthonian the front rider seat, as I reached under and grabbed it for him. We then proceeded to his office, where a police officer was waiting for me. They then informed me then of what the misfortune was about. The day before, like I always do, I usually fritter home about ternion or four friends in my car. That day, in that location happened to be about five or six people who cute a ride. However, me creation a nice guy and kind of gullible, and them being my friends, I couldnt say no. So we crammed about three or four people in the backseat, one in the passenger seat, and one in the trunk. It was not a very wise termination to let my crazy friend Chris ride in the trunk wi th it open. I had left my b.b. gun in there by accident one day when I was bringing it to a friends house. Chris put up it as we were driving down the road, so he opened the trunk up and pointed the gun at cars driving behind us.