Question

According to Tocqueville, why is omnipotence bad for individuals and government?

What recourse does a minority have according to Tocqueville when it suffers from an injustice at the hand of the majority?

What alternative does he suggest?

What do we learn about American democracy from the second footnote?

How significant of a concern is tyranny of the majority in the United States today? Examples?

Answer 1

Alexis de Tocqueville, in his work "Democracy in America," argued that an omnipotent government can lead to individual tyranny, as well as the tyranny of the majority against minority groups. He believed that this was due to the concentration of power in the hands of the government and a lack of checks and balances.

Tocqueville suggested that the recourse for a minority suffering from an injustice at the hands of the majority was to appeal to the sense of fairness and justice of the majority through public opinion and the press.

Tocqueville believed that the alternative to an omnipotent government was to establish a system of federalism and the separation of powers, which would ensure that power is distributed and checked.

The second footnote of Tocqueville's work provides insights into American democracy and its unique character, highlighting the importance of individual liberty, the role of civil society, and the significance of local self-government.

The concern about the tyranny of the majority is still relevant in the United States today, as evidenced by issues such as voter suppression, police brutality, and discrimination against minority groups.

Answer 2

Alexis de Tocqueville, in his book "Democracy in America," believed that the omnipotence of government and the majority can be dangerous because it can lead to the suppression of individual liberty and the abuse of power. He argues that this situation is particularly harmful in democracies, as the majority can easily use its power to oppress the minority.

According to Tocqueville, the minority in a democracy has few options when it suffers from an injustice at the hands of the majority. He suggests that the minority may resort to seeking protection from the courts or from the government, but that these remedies are often inadequate.

Tocqueville suggests an alternative to this situation, which is for the majority to voluntarily limit its own power and for individuals to possess a strong sense of individual liberty and independence. This, in turn, would create a situation in which the minority would have more protections against unjust actions by the majority.

The second footnote in "Democracy in America" highlights Tocqueville's observation that American democracy is unique in that it is characterized by a high degree of individualism and a strong sense of equality among citizens. This, according to Tocqueville, has created a situation in which the tyranny of the majority is less of a concern in the United States than in other democracies.

As for the current concern about the brutality of the majority in the United States, it can be argued that this is still a significant issue in certain circumstances. For example, minority groups such as African Americans, Native Americans, and the LGBTQ+ community still face discrimination and unequal treatment by the majority in various ways, such as in the criminal justice system and in accessing voting rights