Democracy in America, written by Alexis de Tocqueville, was one of the most influential books of the nineteenth century. During his trip to the United States in 1831, Tocqueville saw a nation that was rapidly transforming from agrarian to capitalist society. While he appreciated the individualism and freedom that the country offered, he felt that the society was lagging behind in the development of social equality.
The era was rife with political turmoil. The Industrial Revolution was taking place across Europe and Asia, decimating the ways of life of agrarian societies. There were also fears of a powerful state emerging, and Tocqueville was concerned about the possibility of tyranny.
The era was also a time of growing immigration and religious pluralism. These rifts could create dangerous divisions. Manifest destiny – the physical expansion of a nation from sea to shining sea – was also a driving force.
In the United States, there was an emerging populist Democratic Party led by Andrew Jackson. This party abolished property restrictions on voting. In the 1830s, many poor white men began to gain the right to vote. The Reform Act of 1832 dramatically expanded the franchise. In the 1840s, suffrage was granted to most white men over 21.
In this era, the debates over democracy raged throughout the country. Local officials had been appointed non-democratically for decades. When suffrage began, however, the poor were able to raise militias, and they were able to vote. The National Bank was also a hot topic, prompting the debate about the national government.
Democracy in America was written in the 1830s, and it is a critical text for understanding American politics. It offers a warning about the dangers of democracy. It is a critical book that continues to be read today. It is also widely quoted. It is a must read for students of politics and social sciences. It can be found in full-text and in secondary references, as well as online.
Tocqueville feared that the tyranny of the majority would result in the atomization of the population. He argued that society should be based on the principle of equality. It was an important idea of the nineteenth century, and he hoped that the United States was the best example of its implementation.
While there are some areas of agreement, the majority of the text is filled with fear. The majority of Americans feel that the system of government should be improved, but most don’t think it can change without major changes. They also believe that religion has a strong connection to the cause of liberty. Some Americans believe that you must be Christian to be an American, while others think that you should be born in the U.S.
As we know, the political environment has become increasingly polarized. Whether it’s a Republican candidate who doesn’t believe in the election process, or a Democrat who believes that the media is an enemy, there are many divisive social issues. Corporate America needs to take a stand on these issues. In doing so, it can strengthen blue/red polarization.