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Religion teaches people how to use their freedom for the good of themselves and others. It is practically the sole means of counteracting the materialistic aspects of life by taking people’s minds beyond the physical, material aspects of life. Religion teaches men that being good is in their self interest because they will be rewarded in the afterlife. By working towards the common good rather than personal gain, people are forced to work together. Through these features of American democracy which de Tocqueville noted, Americans are able to balance individualism with the good of the community. The love which people in democratic nations have for both equality and liberty, results in Americans being motivated by ideals of personal gain and private interest. De Tocqueville does not imply that these rights of liberty and equality should be expelled. Rather, he believes that a political system aimed toward the benefit of the common good would diminish individualism in American
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Every human being seeks to be a part of something. Whether it is a positive organization or a street gang, people want to fit in somewhere. The huge increase in the number of street gangs, militias and domestic terrorist groups is proof that de Tocqueville had an inkling of what the future held for America. He realized that, when you give people a certain amount of equality, liberty and freedom, it creates a breeding ground for individualism. When a society does this, it leaves a certain segment of the population feeling as if it doesn’t belong. This leads the weaker elements of society searching for somewhere to belong. They then find organizations and groups of people who feel the same way they do. They join together and form anarchist associations that threaten our American way of life. While I believe democracy is the best form of government in the world, I can appreciate de Tocqueville’s insight. I think he saw something that could only be recognized by someone coming from a completely different way of life. The fact that he was from an aristocratic society allowed him to see flaws that many people still do not recognize today. I have a very real fear that our way of life is being threatened more than any of us realize today. In the next few years, I believe we will see many of de Tocqueville’s predictions come to
Every human being seeks to be a part of something. Whether it is a positive organization or a street gang, people want to fit in somewhere. The huge increase in the number of street gangs, militias and domestic terrorist groups is proof that de Tocqueville had an inkling of what the future held for America. He realized that, when you give people a certain amount of equality, liberty and freedom, it creates a breeding ground for individualism. When a society does this, it leaves a certain segment of the population feeling as if it doesn’t belong. This leads the weaker elements of society searching for somewhere to belong. They then find organizations and groups of people who feel the same way they do. They join together and form anarchist associations that threaten our American way of life. While I believe democracy is the best form of government in the world, I can appreciate de Tocqueville’s insight. I think he saw something that could only be recognized by someone coming from a completely different way of life. The fact that he was from an aristocratic society allowed him to see flaws that many people still do not recognize today. I have a very real fear that our way of life is being threatened more than any of us realize today. In the next few years, I believe we will see many of de Tocqueville’s predictions come to