Democracy in America
Alexis de Tocqueville in his publication Democracy in America had a tremendous contribution on giving insight on the formation of democracy in America and its spread to other parts of the world. The most important thing that De Tocqueville noted about democracy in America was the contribution of immigrants in setting up of the systems in America. He notes that the Puritans were the one who institutes social equality in America which set the precedence for setting up of democratic institutions by the political class. The puritans were a religious sect which immigrated from Europe to America to avoid religious persecution in their home country. When they arrived in America, they established a system which had equality in education and all the people there in where middle class. Therefore, establishing a political system in America based on equality in America was possible because of the right initiatives and lifestyles of the Puritans. This is essentially because infusing religious diversity and political liberty in America was not possible in Europe making it hostile to democratic institutions.
The fundamental aspect which De Tocqueville argues concerning democracy in America is that the Puritans where the founding group. In advocating of this, he espoused that it laid the ground for the creation of the federal constitution later in the country. He puritans had, therefore, set the precedence for the establishment of the sovereignty of the people in the country. This was the implementation of the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut. However, due to the meddling of political affairs in America by European powers, this arrangement was polarized by the American revolution. This is until the country established their federal constitution which De Tocqueville holds in high regard as the beacon of democracy in America. He held the belief that it is the morality of Americans which made democracy possible in America. He was amazed at how American had embraced gender equality which he characterized as the epitome of democracy in America. He was convinced that the fall of autocracy in America had disrupted the patriarchal rule in the country.
De Tocqueville was right in his understanding of the genesis of democracy in America. This is because America is a country which is formed of immigrants and therefore many of the traditions which they imported from Europe. However, after settling in America new social and political lines started to emerge where the immigrants established a different society from the one in Europe. Since the immigrant where victims of an autocratic state which had robbed them their sense of belonging in Europe’s, they were determined to have a system which embraced social equality, religious freedom, economic prosperity for all. Based on these situations, it was right for De Tocqueville to argue that democracy in America had its roots to the Puritan immigrants. He was also right that the spread of democracy all over the world was inevitable but cautioned that it could turn tragic. This is by turning into a rule by the majority based on cultural, religious or ethnic lines.
There is a sense in which De Tocqueville gave an insightful aspect of democracy if it is not unchecked. In many developed countries, they have been able to achieve tremendous milestones in political, social and economic rights due to the following of principles of democracy. Many countries who are in the developed level have been there because of democratic principles which call for equality based on race, gender, religion or cultures. One would argue that democracy had cured many of the anomalies which had been perpetuated by autocracy and other means of production such as feudalism and communism. Democracy has ensured the sovereignty of people who have then ben given the power to pursue various goals in life-based on democratic prospects. There is s sense in which one could argue that democracy works in developed societies, where people have gone beyond religious and social affiliation which ensures inclusivity and equality for all.
Considering some of the newer democracies in the world today, democracy has been a tragic affair. Many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, parts of Asia and Latin America are grappling with autocratic rules which are disguised under pseudo-democracies. In these countries, it is the religious, or ethnic majority who rule over the others, and there is a wanton flouting of democratic principles and other mechanisms of social equality and justice. Democracy in these countries has been a total failure, its citizens grappling with injustices and political turmoil by the ruling majority. This was envisaged by De Tocqueville who noted that democracy had situations where individual rights could be trampled by the tyranny of the majority. It is in this sense that democracy has the potential of having built a country and has a potential of destroying one based on the leaders of the nations.
There is no other system of governance which can be better than democracy. A country in the right moral and social standing can make tremendous strides with democracy as their system of governance. Democracy in the right hands will ensure social equality, the sovereignty of the people, social justice, accountable governance and responsibility. Democracy simply ensures equality for all, and if the society embraces it, then it can create a stable state with accountable governance. Democracy is the only system of governance which can ensure these aspects are upheld and people enjoy them. It ensures that social conditions improve, and people can have better lives based on democratic governance. Democracy ensures the will of people is exerted in their right to choose leaders, choices, and institutions on the plebiscite. There can be no better system of governance with social equality, and sovereignty of the people life democracy.
References
Educating Democracy: Alexis de Tocqueville and leadership in America. (2010). Choice Reviews Online, 48(01), 48-0534-48-0534. http://dx.doi.org/10.5860/choice.48-0534
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