Alexis de Toueville's Democracy in America
Alexis de Toqueville seems to be giving a critique of America in his Democracy in America. The first major point that Alexis talks about, is the corruption of the American Democracy. Alexis describes this coruptiong talking first about how America claims to be democratic but actually acts like as an aristocratic society. Alexis continues, stating also how America has such a love of money, that it does not care about its individuals. The next problem with this democracy is a strive for equality not that it brings the weaker up to the level of the stronger but actually does the opposite, and through aims of "equality" the weaker bring the stronger down to their level. Alexis continues his criticism stating the improper use of the term, "the will of the nation" with instead is used by deceitful men to trick other Americans. Alexis's next major point is the problem that Americans has little independence of mind. Alexis starts this point by discussing the problem of the free press. According to Alexis the free press is inherently evil and stops men from thinking independently. Alexis continues stating that no other country has such little intellectual independence and freedom of discussion as America. Alexis continues criticizing America by discussing its religous problem and how Americans inherently fuse religion and politics in their minds but actually state that they want religion and politics to be separate. Alexis goes on to criticize how America claims that all men are created equally, but actually practices that Europeans are supreme to all other races. Alexis continues this point by stating how the current problem in America is slavery, and by saing that even when the slaves are set free they can never be treated equally to Europeans and will always remain an outcast in the eyes of the Europeans. Alexis finishes this point of slavery, by stating that when the slaves become free, they will fully recognize the oppression of the Europeans and will rebel against them. Alexis finishes the first volume of Democracy in America, by stating the problem that Americans cannot commit to their lives and continually play a game of chance, in which they will build up a life and then leave it soon afterwards.
Alexis de Toqueville begins the second volume of Democracy in America by again discussing the probelm of American thought. The problem now comes from the fact that Americans create a number of opinions which any individual can adopt, without the need to forming their own. The problem also comes from the oppressive nature of religions who wish to control their people. Alexis however gives a positive criticism of democracies in that they create new words and ideas and force Americans to use their reason, but continues criticizing it by stating that discussion is still vague and confusing. Alexis continues by criticizing American women and how they give up their freedom of independence to be bound in marriage. Alexis follows the discussion of women, by stating that no matter how hard America works to make all people equal there will still be a push by citizens to become better than everyone else. Each person wishes to better himself and his comfort while also each race to better the standing of their people. Alexis concludes the arguement by discussing the problem of the mob mentality and the problem of little intellectual independence.
Democracy in America seems to refer back to Kant's idea of "Enlightenment". As ignorant people force "self-incured tutelage" upon themselves, so do Americans throw bondage upon themselves, bondage which Americans do not understand and cannot fight because of their ignorance to such bondage. Also just as ignorant people can relieve themselves of their "tutelage" through reason so must Americans remove their bondages of the mob mentality and must think individually. The opinion of Americans cannot be accepted without reason and therefore should be rejudged and reconcidered by Americans so that Americans might think independently of others. Americans need to discuss and reason with each other because if they do not they fall into another bondage of ignorance.
In response to such a passage as Democracy in America, one could ask: Why is it a problem that Americans unify their opinions? Would not this unification of opinion bring a stronger unity and a stronger sense of nationality?
As unification of such opinions would bring unity to Americans it would not benefit Americans and would leave the least represented and least spoken people to face the greatest oppression. Such unification would be worse for America as a whole.
Alexis de Toqueville begins the second volume of Democracy in America by again discussing the probelm of American thought. The problem now comes from the fact that Americans create a number of opinions which any individual can adopt, without the need to forming their own. The problem also comes from the oppressive nature of religions who wish to control their people. Alexis however gives a positive criticism of democracies in that they create new words and ideas and force Americans to use their reason, but continues criticizing it by stating that discussion is still vague and confusing. Alexis continues by criticizing American women and how they give up their freedom of independence to be bound in marriage. Alexis follows the discussion of women, by stating that no matter how hard America works to make all people equal there will still be a push by citizens to become better than everyone else. Each person wishes to better himself and his comfort while also each race to better the standing of their people. Alexis concludes the arguement by discussing the problem of the mob mentality and the problem of little intellectual independence.
Democracy in America seems to refer back to Kant's idea of "Enlightenment". As ignorant people force "self-incured tutelage" upon themselves, so do Americans throw bondage upon themselves, bondage which Americans do not understand and cannot fight because of their ignorance to such bondage. Also just as ignorant people can relieve themselves of their "tutelage" through reason so must Americans remove their bondages of the mob mentality and must think individually. The opinion of Americans cannot be accepted without reason and therefore should be rejudged and reconcidered by Americans so that Americans might think independently of others. Americans need to discuss and reason with each other because if they do not they fall into another bondage of ignorance.
In response to such a passage as Democracy in America, one could ask: Why is it a problem that Americans unify their opinions? Would not this unification of opinion bring a stronger unity and a stronger sense of nationality?
As unification of such opinions would bring unity to Americans it would not benefit Americans and would leave the least represented and least spoken people to face the greatest oppression. Such unification would be worse for America as a whole.
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