Final answer:
Tocqueville believed that the expansion of electoral rights leads to an increased demand for further expansion, as democratic principles create an expectation for political equality and representation. Historical expansions of suffrage in the U.S., such as the 15th and 19th Amendments, highlight the progression towards inclusivity in the democratic process and the pressures driving these changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Alexis de Tocqueville's perspectives on the expansion of electoral rights suggest that once a society begins to experience some level of democratic equality, there arises an increased demand to expand this equality further. Tocqueville believed that democracy was an unstoppable force, potentially leading to the tyranny of the majority where the larger group's interests could potentially overpower the rights and interests of minorities and individuals. This view is reflected in the concept that the extension of suffrage could act as a countermeasure to prevent government abuse and protect individual rights. As suffrage is extended to broader segments of the population, political equality is enhanced, and the government is more representative of its constituents' needs and desires.
Several reasons contribute to the pressure for the expansion of voting rights including the need for individuals to protect their rights, the desire of political parties to widen their supporter base, and the social changes like the rise of the middle class during the Industrial Revolution. These factors, along with historical examples such as the extension of voting rights to African American men after the Civil War and to women with the 19th Amendment, showcase the evolving nature of democracy and the need for continued expansion of voting rights to ensure that all citizens are represented.