Abstract
This paper examines John Stuart Mill and Alexis de Tocqueville's beliefs on democracy and some concerns they also have about this system of governance. According to the paper, both believe that the tyranny of the majority is particularly worrisome in democracies, compared to other political systems. The paper concludes that their concerns are justified because the fundamental basis of democracy is majority rule.

From the Paper
"John Stuart Mill and Alexis de Tocqueville both believe that the tyranny of the majority is particularly worrisome in democracies, compared to other political systems. Their concerns are justified because the fundamental basis of democracy is majority rule. Leaders are chosen by majority vote, legislation is passed by majority vote, and judicial rulings at higher levels are decided upon by majority vote. The nature of the system empowers the majority to control every..."

Tags:problems, of, democracy

Abstract
This paper discusses the problems of democracy as cited in three major works on the subject: John Stuart Mill's "On Liberty", Alexis de Tocqueville's "Democracy in America", and Carl Schmitt's "The Crisis of Parliamentary Democracy". The paper elaborates upon the views of Mill and de Tocqueville, who both believed that the tyranny of the majority was particularly worrisome in democracies, compared to other political systems. The paper also outlines the major features of Carl Schmitt's critiques of parliamentary democracy, in which he contrasts between how parliamentary government is designed to function and how it actually functions. The paper further discusses Schmitt's argument that democratic institutions function through corrupt political deal-making and that rational political debate and election results have little impact on government decision-making. The paper concludes that Mill and de Tocqueville realized that the solutions for these problems actually lay within the democratic system.

From the Paper
"Schmitt was also critical of parliamentary systems because he believed that the nature of democracy itself is based upon meaningless abstractions such as equality and liberty. To him, these high-sounding concepts were little more than a sham, for most people care very little about equal rights and liberty and most political leaders care even less. Leaders deliver grand speeches in parliaments and legislatures about democracy, but behind the scenes, they act in their own self-interest. And in society, the average citizen is just as hypocritical, for they resent any action by the government or other citizens that is detrimental to their self-interest, while paying lip service to democracy and equal rights for all."

Tags:tyranny, majority, vote, parliament

Abstract
This paper discusses the idea of democracy as given by Alexis de Tocqueville who wrote a comprehensive book on the democratic system of America. He was of the view that though American democratic system was working successfully, it still had some weaknesses, which should be addressed effectively.

Abstract
This paper discusses Socrates' view of democracy and the democratic man as related in Book 8 of Plato's "Republic." In particular, the paper attempts to ascertain what specific problems Socrates has with democracy and democratic man. The paper then relates Socrates' criticisms - both those that the writer agrees with and those that he does not - to the state of affairs within the United States.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Criticisms of Democracy and Democratic Man
Freedom in Democracy
Equality in Democracy
Freedom and Equality in Democratic Man
Afterthought: The Democratic Ruler(s)
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Although it is clear that Socrates holds an uncomplimentary view of democracy, to say the least, it is equally clear to me that, conversely, in today's world democracy is largely respected and admired; countries strive to be "democratic" because of the positive connotations attached to the concept. What I have difficulty understanding is not the fact that countries today manipulate the definition of democracy to fit their own agenda, but rather why the concept, democracy, was chosen as the emulative term. Why isn't "socialism" seen as the "good" form of government? After all, in our country we are lacking a lot of the basic qualities that are supposedly essential to democracy. Yet at the same time the U.S. is arguably the most powerful, most economically well-off country in the world. There are many more questions like these that need to be explored, and I hope that throughout the course of this essay, through an examination of Plato's thought in the Republic, I have shed some light on some of the possible answers."

Tags:society, power, President

Abstract
This paper describes the philosophy behind democracy and then, using the USA as an example, attempts to highlight the problems with a democracy. The paper presents three objections as to why democracy is not the best form of government.

Outline:
Introduction
Objective 1
Objective 2
Objective 3
Objective 1 reply
Objective 2 reply
Objective 3 reply
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Democracy has been heralded by some as the reason for why America has been a dominant global power for such a long period of time. Contrary to this belief democracy has only acted as a retardant to the fatal problems Americans face. The inefficiency of democracy does not allow for any one side to take full control which is important for sustainability of a country but sacrifices the needs of those on the bottom to achieve this feat. The aforementioned analogy of democracy being a city in which the sides are in constant opposition to one another can be correlated to the wealthy against the poor. Members of the upper-class who virtually dominate American politics are not going to allocate the necessary funds to assist the poor because that is in conflict with their own preservation. Therefore public officers will do enough to not destroy their reputation and chance for re-election but not enough to truly address the problems of the people they are supposed to be serving while in office. Democracy creates a more stable state than that of other political blueprints but in turn sacrifices directly addressing the needs of the people."

Tags:democracy, political, freedom

Abstract
This paper analyzes the varying viewpoints of John Stuart Mill and Alex de Tocqueville. The paper explains that Mill saw the individuality of a person as vital to a democracy, as long as people did not physically harm other people in the process. This differs slightly from Tocqueville's "excessive individuality" because it does not promote a selfish form of individuality, but infers to a person's right to be an individual as long as they did not harm the health and well being of the state.

Tags:liberty, home, freedom

Abstract
This paper discusses Alexis de Tocqueville's book, "Democracy in America," translated by Arthur Goldhammer. The paper discusses Tocquville's view that religion - and in particular, Christianity - acts as a buffer to individualism and materialism and their potentially adverse effects. It specifically looks at the role of Christianity in American society.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
The Spirit of Religion
Potential Problems in America's Nascent Democratic Society: Isolation and Individualism, and Extreme Materialism
Religion Counteracts the Potential Problems in America and Contributes Greatly to the Continued Prosperity of the Democracy
Conclusion

From the Paper
"In Democracy in America, Tocqueville made it clear that although the equality of conditions in America has given the budding country much hope, it has also given the young democracy much to fear. Among the main problems that Tocqueville saw as inherent in American democracy are the country's isolationist tendencies (and, consequently, its inclination towards individualism), and its proclivity for an extreme form of materialism. According to Tocqueville, religion - and in particular, Christianity - acts as a buffer to individualism and materialism and their potentially adverse effects; moreover, Christianity additionally plays a "positive" role by contributing greatly to the well-being and prosperity of American society. In particular, Tocqueville claimed that Christianity's acceptance of its limits (e.g. by staying far removed from political concerns, and by being keenly observant of and sensitive to public opinion), as well as its ability to actively and successfully give moral guidance, make it the best religion for American democracy."

Tags:materialism, despotism, order

Abstract
One of the earliest analyses of American culture was that of Alexis de Tocqueville, who traveled the country in 1835 and 1840. In his Democracy in America, De Tocqueville reported on what Americans thought of themselves, and much of what he writes evokes the traditions and myths by which Americans are identified to this day.

From the Paper
"One of the earliest analyses of American culture was that of Alexis de Tocqueville, who traveled the country in 1835 and 1840. In his Democracy in America, De Tocqueville reported on what Americans thought of themselves, and much of what he writes evokes the traditions and myths by which Americans are identified to this day. Among the traditions De Tocqueville cites about American society are the notion of rights for everyone, the public spirit of the people, and the general respect for law. He also addresses the question of the possibility of the tyranny of the majority and the ways in which this is mitigated as he writes: "But in the United States the majority which so frequently displays the tastes and the propensities of a despot, is still destitute of the more perfect instruments of tyranny" (De Tocqueville 261). De Tocqueville then shows how the minority is ..."

Abstract
This paper examines how the book, "Democracy in America" by Alexis de Tocqueville, considers the phenomenon of democracy as it manifests itself in the United States. It looks at how, apart from legislative authority, democracy carries with it certain dangers that, if not properly dealt with, will result in despotism by the majority.

Outline
The Love for Equality
Individualism
Materialism
The Preservation of Liberty in the Face of Democracy
Association and Press
Religion
De Tocqueville's Relevance

From the Paper
"The main premise for this argument include the sovereignty of the people and the power of public opinion. De Tocqueville sensibly argues that equality precludes the importance of any one person's rule over another, since nobody can claim to be more important than any other. However, to establish order in society, a certain rulership has to be established. The only way to achieve this is by the rulership of the majority, which then can lead to despotism. This happens by means of tyranny of the majority. Because everybody is seen as equal, no opinion is more important than any other. Thus, the opinion of the majority is in effect adhered to, in order to satisfy the majority. A further implication of equality is that the minority, being equal to the majority, has not right to disagree with the majority, as this implies that such an opinion is more important than that of the majority. This is the basis of despotism; that the minority is helpless to resist the general opinion, and thus liberty is undermined."

Tags:liberty, materialism, religion, individualism, equality

Abstract
This paper discusses how Alexis de Tocqueville's seminal work on democracy, "Democracy in America", has shaped America's self-vision and global theory on democracy since it was released in 1835. It looks at how the first volume of Tocqueville's work, then, dealt extensively with the history and formation of American democracy, especially concerning itself with the details of jurisdictions, applications, and details of the American system of governance. It also examines how, when five years later he revisited his earlier topic, he focused less on the nature of the body of government and more on the nature of the governed and the peculiarities of environment, social structure, and personal mores that allowed democracy to function as it did. It shows how there is a relatively short space between these two works and how most of their central theses and themes are overlapping and indistinguishable. The primary differences between the two are the subject matter (institutions versus populations), the greater degree to which the second develops a thesis rather than merely describing a phenomena, the treatment of aristocracy and equality within America, and the degree to which Tocqueville appears optimistic about the prospects of the nation.

From the Paper
"In both works Tocqueville is largely complementary towards the system. Especially in he first volume, he seems to uphold this model as one of the finest to be followed by the nations of Europe, though he seems skeptical that it could be entirely reproduced in a different environment and social climate. In the second, however, while still praising the system he has a tendency to criticize the citizens of America and their nature. While he sees a number of important moral and religious positives within American culture that are encouraged by their system of government (especially regarding the treatment of women, marriage, and the family), he also seems to embrace an idea of the American people as less intelligent, less prone to works of artistic genius and worth, and generally more bombastic and insufferable than their European counterparts."

Tags:jurisdictions, government, equality