The statement that many things have changed in America since Tocqueville’s writings is factual, however, the principles that he presented in the 1830s are very applicable to the democracy that stands today. Although it was written nearly two hundred years ago, due to Tocqueville’s attempt at taking a nonpartisan approach and his comprehensive analysis makes his writings applicable and gives insight to the problems that plague America in the modern day.
In the mid-19th century, when Tocqueville wrote his book, slavery was a major topic in political discussion. He witnessed the plight of African American’s at the time and stated that, “The Negro makes a thousand fruitless efforts to insinuate himself among men who repulse him…” This in my mind can be likened to the recent ideals behind gay pride. For many years people who were of sexual orientations different than what was “normal” by society, were seen as unnatural and in turn, lead to oppression. This oppression would lead to people suppressing their identity and can be likened to the African American’s back then. They would abandon their culture and identity in the hopes that adopting the white man’s culture would lead to acceptance. I believe that there are many more instances in which groups who are oppressed in America today adopt the culture in the hopes that they will feel more accepted but just like those of times past, it achieves next to nothing. A prime example of such is Muslims, through the war on terror and the fact that some groups have a preconceived notion that practicing Islam makes you more likely to be a terrorist is something that America can use Tocqueville’s writings to learn from. What makes America unique is the different backgrounds and cultures that fill it. Learning about other people and their cultures is something that should define America, not inhibit it.
Although Tocqueville’s French aristocratic background does lead to some bias regarding American democracy, his attempt to be nonpartisan throughout the chapters we have read comes well before his time. During the chapter on the dangers that face the United States, however he talks about how, “The prosperity of the United States is the source of their most serious dangers…” This is applicable to the current state of the country. The overwhelming sense of pride and patriotism that some American’s display, although it is of good intentions, can lead to conflict.
9 replies on “Short Essay # 1”
I agree that Tocqueville’s ideas, while slightly antiquated, can still be transformed and applied to today’s society. I particularly like your points relating the difficulty particular groups face when trying to integrate themselves into American society. While boasting acceptance and equality, America has a dark underside to its history books, where groups face immense adversity when trying to join the norms of American society. Whether it be Irish and Italian immigrants from the past, Islamic immigrants facing religious persecution in a largely Christian country, or people of different races flowing in from across the borders, all groups face some initial kickback from existing American citizens. Though there is no formal doctrine asserting that there needs to be an integration period for a new grouping of Americans, it is often difficult to accept a new group of entirely dissimilar people in any circumstance. Do you think there is anyway that the government could do more to assist in this integration process? Or is it a lost cause and just something that all incoming Americans have to accept and endure?
You bring up some very insightful points regarding Tocqueville’s statements regarding democracy. Tocqueville was very ahead of his time when taking a viewpoint that considered both aristocratic and democratic viewpoints, like you said. We see the idea of equality more and more in contemporary society, and have evolved a lot since Tocqueville wrote Democracy in America. The institution of slavery is now a thing of the past, and like you said many groups that were once oppressed are now receiving equal treatment, such as the LGBTQ community.
I agree that Tocqueville’s points were extremely ahead of his time and can be applied to how we treat others in the United States given the great amount of diversity present. The variety of diverse backgrounds alongside the yearning for freedom and equality has always been at the heart of the United States’ growth. We can apply this to current United States immigration policies as we can recognize that our country was essentially founded for many seeking religious freedom. Many in our modern-day world attempt to immigrate to the United States seeking asylum and freedom’s that they would not have in their home country. This is essential for us to recognize as we review both new and old immigration policies in the United States.
You incorporate a lot of great topics in your piece, and I agree that Tocqueville was ahead of his time and brought up issues that relate to our current debates. It is interesting that Tocqueville saw and wrote about these issues over 200 years ago but similar issues are still happening today. As a society we seem to not change our ways even after insitutions like slavery ended, and the legalization of gay marriage. We may show our support of being a culture that welcome everyone, but once we are in the country you will see that you are welcome and still oppressed due to your race, sexuality or religion in our culture.
I agree with Rafe, when he talks about how Tocqueville’s ideas relate to the modern day world. I personally found this fascinating myself when reading, it allowed for a better understanding of what he was trying to say. You mention how the oppressed groups in this age, would have been the african americans. They had to abandon their culture and traditions due to their masters inquiry. In this point right, equality was not relevant however, even today we see how it has grown. However, minorities still feel the pressure of society and social norms to not fully be who they are. Realizing the pressure of those around us today, can help America escape the stratifications that were established in the beginning.
I agree with the idea that often times the surrounding culture of one can impact the ways in which they express themselves and that self-expression can be hindered by the overall norms of society. I believe that acknowledging the unintentional ways in which certain groups are suppressed can help alleviate the suppression and create a better place for everyone within the U.S.
I completely agree with your viewpoint of how Tocqueville’s principles still stand to this day. He made some very clear and concise standings on issues that can be translated to today’s world almost 200 year later. And while he does have a bias towards the more affluent classes of society, but he always stayed neutral and looked at both side of the argument while making his points. This is why I think that Tocqueville’s principles will stand for generations to come.
I like many of the points in your essay and found them compelling. Although I generally disagree with this argument, you successfully applied some of Tocquevilles ideas to a modern situation. Your comparison of the mistreatment of African Americans to the mistreatment of Gay people in modern society. The likeness of these two minority groups in the way that they were oppressed is laid out by Tocqueville accurately.
I agree with a lot of points that you make, especially the one that Tocqueville’s writing can still be applied to America today. It is incredible that as an Aristocrat from France hundreds of years ago, Tocqueville’s ideas about America can be so timeless. If I were to revise this essay, I would add a little bit more about who Tocqueville’s background affects his writing negatively. I’d love to hear more about the differences between his time and out time and how that changes his ideas.