Despot/Despotism Essay

Tocqueville’s visit to the United States in 1831 prompted his work Democracy in America. This was supposed to be a chance for him to take a look at the American prison system. However, it was obvious from his writing that he looked at every aspect of American culture. In Democracy in America, he takes a look at how democracy works and the pitfalls that could bring about the downfall of democracy. Throughout his travels he noticed that private interest and personal gain motivated the actions of most Americans. He believed this cultivated a new concept, the concept of individualism. He believed this individualism was one of the greatest threats to democracy. He believed individualism would eventually sap the virtue of public life and create a despotism of selfishness. This growth of selfishness would be facilitated by citizens becoming too individualistic. They would, therefore, no longer fulfill their civic duties or exercise their freedom. De Tocqueville feared that the political order of America would soon become aimed at the satisfaction of individual needs, rather than the greater good of society. Alexis de Tocqueville viewed participation in public affairs, the growth of associations the principle of self-interest properly understood and religion as the only means by which American democracy could combat the effects of individualism. A great deal of Democracy in America was a comparison of democracy and aristocracy. He believed that in an aristocracy,…

As well, I will build upon his threats using more contemporary theorists and thinkers. In his book Tocqueville discussed two threats to democracy in America, tyranny of the majority, and soft despotism. The threat that is most interesting, in regards to this paper, is his idea of soft despotism. Tocqueville made sure to make the distinction between despotism and soft despotism. He described despotism as “[the] tyrannical, and absolute government of only one (or of only one power).” (Tocqueville…

natural that love of equality should grow constantly with equality itself; everything done to satisfy it makes it grow” (Tocqueville, 673). Hence, equality as defined by the Americans holds an unquenchable drive that if unchecked leads to greater centralization of government to achieve it as citizens seek equality and government seeks uniformity. A government left uncheck lacks the ability to resist centralization in Tocqueville’s view as “every central government worships uniformity; uniformity…

public officials. Tocqueville Question #1 Page 3 said that in America it is easy to see how mistakes are made when choosing a politician. However, Tocqueville stated, “Although the rulers of a democracy are less honest and competent, the electorate is more enlightened and more alert.” This means that although the politicians may be less skilled, because the public is involved and cares, they will stop a politician from deviating or doing anything in their own self-interest. In a…

According to Alexis de Tocqueville in Democracy in America, a democratic society has various characteristics such as individualism and a single-minded pursuit of material wealth. These two characteristics can cause certain dangers to a democratic society such as a despotic and absolute government and also unhappiness. Alexis de Tocqueville in his book Democracy in America presents a behavior that occurs in democratic America. This behavior is called individualism, which is a “reflective and…

In The Tempest, Shakespeare many times takes the stance that despotism is not a stable form of government. Shakespeare exemplifies his stance on despotism by narrating prolific power shifts and frequent coups. In fact, the main plotline is about a duke, Prospero, whose title is usurped by his brother Antonio with the help of King Alonso. Then Prospero gets exiled to an island with only one inhabitant, Caliban. After Caliban has shown him everything about the island Prospero takes power and…

Historians use the term “Enlightened Despot,” to describe some of the men and women who ruled European states during part of the eighteenth century. Monarchs, inspired by the ideals of the Enlightenment, pursued reformations described as Enlightened Despotism. Yet by examining the term and the policies of the rulers named by this term, Enlightened Despotism displays more about the prejudices and values of the historians who use it than the rulers of this time. The word “enlightened” expresses…

Historians often refer to absolutist monarch Joseph II of Austria (1741-1790) as an enlightened despot due to the numerous social reforms he instilled during his reign. Joseph commissioned countless works of propaganda that showcase his enlightened ideology, yet it is through one of these images that one can also see the ironies that invalidate the possibility of an effective enlightened despot. The authority of a despot relies on his ability to secure his own power, while a true Enlightenment…

Firstly, Enlightened despots endorsed human rights to create a healthier society. Although many enlightened absolutists supported human rights, one of the monarch’s who notably advocated and increased human rights was Catherine the Great of Russia. Montesquieu and Voltaire greatly influenced her on the subject of the law code. Montesquieu's book, “The Spirit of Laws”, captivated her attention and had a great impact on her view of despotism. Catherine and Voltaire were personally acquainted and…

One of the most important readings that we just discussed in class was looking at “soft tyranny”. As Tocqueville points out, Democracies tend to overlook it. That the major of people tend to ignore it. As it often goes unnoticed throughout our daily lives. De Tocqueville mentions that soft despotism goes un-notice, primarily because people rather look for hard despotism (despotisms). The kind of despotism that dictators and authoritarian governments tend to enact. Laws that are not healthy for…