Tocqueville’s depiction of American life and culture during his time has multiple aspects that share similarities with modern American life, however, the majority of the depictions have changed too heavily since the work was done to dictate it as currently relevant. This is due to the vast differences to the puritan way of life and the southern plantation system both socially and economically. Tocqueville’s analysis of both economic mobility as well as the relevance of religious influence in political structure has changed dramatically since the time of his visit.
The Puritan people lived a significantly different life than the modern American people do today. The vastly advanced structure of rights and liberties that the United States Constitution carries in the Bill of Rights is lacking in the political structure of Puritan society. Rather than adopt a more hands-off approach with this style of democracy the puritans used it to create a strict authoritarian style of governance which punishes countless crimes with death. As Tocqueville stated, “It must not be forgotten that these fantastic and oppressive laws were not imposed by authority, but that they were freely voted by all the persons interested in them”. In addition to this severe punishment, there was no separation of church and state in this society. The Puritan people heavily integrate their religious beliefs directly into their system of governance, it was even stated that “in America, religion is the road to knowledge, and the observance of the divine laws leads man to civil freedom” (Tocqueville). Every successful puritan in this depiction is viewed as one who heavily values and respects the Puritan religious code. Furthermore, in contrast to modern American society, Tocqueville had stated: “in America, it is the poor who make the law, and they usually reserve the greatest advantages of society to themselves”. This statement could not be further from the truth in 2019. Political giants dominate the government and financial based donations have much more pull then individual votes. Society has simply changed and not only socially.
Tocqueville has some rather noteworthy opinions and observations of the financial intricacies and patterns of the southern colonies of America. Most simply was the concept of financial movement where it appeared to him that there was a significantly large population of citizens with new money, it seemed as “In America, most of the rich men were formerly poor” (Tocqueville). Unfortunately, enough time has passed where large estates have gradually been built up and there is some serious income inequality in America that transcends generations and has heavily impacted the opportunities offered to citizens. This once again contrasts to Tocqueville’s view of American financial realities where “wealth circulates with inconceivable rapidity, and experience shows that it is rare to find two succeeding generations in the full enjoyment of it”. While America still has greater economic mobility than many other nations it is nowhere near the observation Tocqueville made all those years ago.
The American way of life has drastically altered itself through the power of time and while in many cases this is for its benefit, this is not always the case. Tocqueville’s view is one that should never be ceased to be studied however it should always be with a historical context and an understanding of the modern political world.
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7 replies on “Short Essay #1”
I agree with your point that too much has changed since Tocquevilles time for his writings to be considered socially relevant. It is apparent that much has changed in the time since Tocquevilles wrote and that the American political scene is not what it once was. Your comparison between the politics of the Puritans and the politics of the United States today was spot on. Companies and wealthy individuals hold more sway over elections than when the Puritans were first making laws. Tocquevilles concepts about financial mobility in the United States are also very outdated. In the time of his writing, it may have been true that most rich men were formerly poor, but in today’s society many of our wealthy citizens were born into wealthy families. Overall you have a very strong essay and use strong examples to support your argument.
I really like a lot of the points you make here Nick. I have written mostly about the different aspects of Tocqueville’s analysis that are similar to American life today, but I have failed to consider many of the other aspects such as religion. Although Tocqueville is spot on with a lot of his analyses regarding the different races that first existed in America, I find it extremely interesting how the idea of religion played out. The Puritans came to America looking for religious freedom free from persecution, but what came to be was lacking religious freedom. Considering that the Puritans had extremely strict ideas and were a very closed minded community, this was not really religious freedom at all. Although this was initially the case, certain Puritans began to branch off and eventually over time religious freedom for all was achieved.
I strongly agree with most of your statements in your essay. Yet when you point out what Tocqueville has said about our nation’s governance, I find myself disagreeing. If you look at who is truly making the laws in todays society it is those who have been elected by the people. It may seem as those who are running this country are not elected by the poor, but those elected officials only came to power because the majority of the population has voted for them. Many people who are in poverty turn out for votes in order to evoke change on the economic system. So as a society we have chosen candidates to speak for us in the government who we feel will represent us most effectively and help cause a positive change in our districts. These people have been put in power by the majority, rather then the 1% or the rich. I believe that Tocqueville did have some truth in this quote, you just have to interpret it in a modern interpretation of government.
I agree with your statement highlighting how Toqcuevilles’ notations of the rich formerly being poor appear to be inadequate in relevance to our modern-day society. Today, the poor struggle to pull themselves out of the cycle of poverty. Our country struggles in providing economic mobility to those endeavoring out of poverty. Although conversely, the definition of poverty greatly differs from that of many other countries and our economic mobility is greater than that of many other nations.
Although, I disagree with your statement that the poor no longer have a say in government. it is still the citizens of the United States that vote for candidates running for office that determine their elected officials. While I do agree that the wealthy have a great impact as they can fund campaigns, etc., It is still the people of the United States who essentially vote for who will be passing laws or nominating and electing other government officials.
I agree with your argument. The main element that stood out to me was the focus on the Puritans and how their life culture is so different than today. Our society today has outgrown these religious and political, however some people may still live this way of life, but most Americans have grown different views about people, about wealth, and about culture. You mention a quote from Tocqueville, “in America, it is the poor who make the law, and they usually reserve the greatest advantages of society to themselves.” Then you argue how this statement is “far from the truth.” Which I agree with. Even today, the minorities of America still need a voice from those who are well off.
I think that the format of your essay does a very effective job of putting across your argument. The consideration I have for you is about how you included the example of the Puritans but not the example of the southerners. The South may have been useful to develop your argument and show that, “while the majority of the depictions [about New England!] have changed too heavily since the work was done to dictate it as currently relevant,” Toqueville’s depiction of the south as a region with large estates, wealthy elite, and not much opportunity for the lower classes is a more accurate description of the America we live in today. I also appreciate the fact that, after presenting a realistic critique of Toqueville, you do not ‘throw it all out’. (“Tocqueville’s view is one that should never *ceased to be studied, however, it should always be with a historical context and an understanding o the modern political world.)
*of the modern political world