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.