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Democracy in America This book illustrates the views of a Frenchman on politics, society, and ideals of the U.S during the period of the 1830’s. Tocqueville states his observations, provides solutions to what he finds faulty and predicts America’s destiny. This book contains several themes concerning the structure of the American government and its relation to democracy as well as its influence on the behavior of people. I'm going to focus on the tyranny of the majority and its effect on democracy. Tocqueville mentions that after the Revolution, democracy became the “law of laws” Tocqueville (56). In his opinion, equality initiated democracy and can be of great harm to it if practiced excessively. I find Tocqueville’s opinion about democracy quite ambivalent because I see him praising the moral authority of the majority in one hand and then expressing its dangers on the other hand. He thinks, “social power superior to all others must always be placed somewhere” Tocqueville(114). At the same time he feels that this power might be similar to the power of anarchy as he says “If it be admitted that a man possessing absolute power may misuse the power by wronging his adversaries, why should not a majority be liable to the same reproach?” Toqueville (114).
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