1. One way of understanding Tocqueville is to remember he is
an aristocrat, and despite the general attack on the aristocracy in the wake of
the French Revolution, he persists in believing that aristocrats did some
important things that the new democracies – both in the US and Europe – would
have to find someone to do. What are these things?
2. Tocqueville, like Hegel, saw history as moving towards a
goal, when he suggests that democracy and equality are inevitable. Think about
how he is like and is different from Hegel.
3. What minority did Tocqueville worry would be tyrannized
by what majority? How does it compare with the worries of Madison? Why does
Tocqueville think that the jury system is not a strong guarantee against the
tyranny of the majority, but that lawyers are?
4. American often think that individualism is a strength of
the U.S. style. Tocqueville sees it as a major danger. How does he define it
and why is it a threat to a good society?
5. Tocqueville says that several characteristics of American
society mitigate the dangers of individualism, including local government, the
press and civil associations. Explain.
Application 1: What would be the argument that social media
now is either promoting or preventing ‘individualism’ as Tocqueville defines
it?
Application 2: On what topics is there a ‘tyranny of the
majority’ today (broad public opinion that is acknowledged to be the ruling
attitude?
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