Chapter 4POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION AND PUBLIC OPINION

Theory/Philosophical Focus: Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America

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Tocqueville and American Values

• Alexis de Tocqueville • A French sociologist and political scientist, arrived in the

U.S. in May 1831 to assess the benefits and weaknesses of American democracy.

• Democracy in America—critiques American society and the patterns of behavior, within a young democracy.

• Identifies equality of condition, as "the fundamental fact from which all others [mechanisms] seem to be derived."

• Stipulates certain mechanisms (equality, decentralized power, public political participation) as essential parts of American democracy.

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Equality

• General equality of condition permeates the public arena and forces cooperation among inhabitants regardless of individual endeavors

• Leads to commercial and industrial occupations because people are free to pursue economic ventures, wealth.

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Equality

• Equality of condition:• Prevents an aristocracy and promotes political efficacy.

• Yet may lead to negative consequence of a tyranny of the majority.

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Equality

• Equality as the "distinguishing characteristic of the age [1800s] ..." and the basis for the U.S. Constitution

• Institutional design of equality in all aspects of American government; inherent pursuit of commerce; civic virtue of industry.

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Equality

• Equality of condition permits any person, regardless of socio-economic class, to participate in governmental actions and deliberations; every citizen is free to introduce personal opinions into public discourse.

• “Americans are born free!”

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Decentralized Power

• A second pattern found in American democracy—the decentralization of power, diminishes likelihood of tyranny by the majority.

• Stresses the advantage of power dispersed among states and central government; vital to the success of democracy

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Decentralized Power

• If you disapprove of a public official's performance, you may challenge that official directly or simply not support the individual in next election.

• Patriotism, or the love of community, through the "collective strength of the people" challenges the absolute "authority of government" and protects the general welfare of the community.

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Political and Public Associations

• Tocqueville identifies a third pattern, political and public associations, as a means to promote stability within a democracy.

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Political and Public Associations

• Politically, "the partisans of an opinion unite in political bodies [parties] ... and choose delegates to represent them in a central assembly."

• Civil society relies upon the "moral power" of citizens forming political parties to further common virtue.

• Without the collective organization of political parties, anarchy and disorganization would follow, allowing for the rise of elite dominance.

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Political and Public Associations

• Tocqueville also observes the benefit of shared activities such as schools, religion, family, and social organizations to perpetuate civic values.

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Political and Public Associations

• Shared activities and civic virtue• The "right of association is as inalienable as the right of personal liberty"; promotes an avenue of discourse for a "common undertaking."

• A common motive or passion establishes stability within the U.S.

• Tocqueville warns of the possibility for newspapers to manipulate public opinion and suppress public discourse.

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Conclusion

• Democracy in America is a compelling critique illustrating the strengths and weaknesses of American society.

• While people retain different self-interests in American society there are similarities concerning the political sociology of the country which tend to promote unity.

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Conclusion

• 3 components of American society:• equality of condition• decentralized power• associations that advance democracy

• Tocqueville views these patterns as beneficial to the promotion of individual American equality thus sustaining its democracy.

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