Alexis de Tocqueville Democracy in America

Alexis de Tocqueville From France—lived through the French Revolution…just barely Sent to study American prisons Was in America during Andrew Jackson’s presidency He noticed that America was different from Europe in many ways and tried to identify the ways in a book.

Why is American Democracy working? Both America and France went through revolutions America has a Democracy that has worked France has gone through many revolutions and restorations during the same time period. What made American Democracy successful?

Tocqueville’s 5 values Egalitarianism Populism Liberty Individualism Laissez-Faire

Egalitarianism A society of equals. European society was built around hereditary distinctions separation the nobles, middle class, and peasants. In American society there are differences, but everyone is equal. Also anyone can own land. Two exceptions to this he found were slavery and the treatment of Native Americans

Populism Popular Sovereignty The participation of the common people in political life—voting Since everyone in society was equal, everyone had the same right to participate in government. The goal of such a society was peace and prosperity for all.

Liberty Protection against tyrannical government Biggest danger was the tyranny of the majority. Americans are devoted to the rule of law America’s federal system helped prevent the rise of an over-powerful government Americans’ religious faith helped strengthen the belief in individual liberty

Individualism Americans were free to flourish without hereditary distinctions They believed they could rise in society (the American Dream) Individuals even organized themselves into to their own private, voluntary associations, such as charities.

Laissez-Faire (if you don’t know this you will be punched in the throat ) Government took a Laissez-faire or “hands off” approach to the economy A key value of Americans was that each individual was the best judge of his own interest. He feared if they (Americans) relied too heavily on government, they would saddle it with a burden it was unable to perform.