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.