Alex De Tocqueville, democracy in america
...id not only make negative observations. He admired the availability role people had in government. He found the laws were not aimed against the well being of the majority. The strong public spirit and practice in freedom gives the people the ability to participate in the law making process. Though Tocqueville believed the law making process was a fare role the people had with government he feared the ability of reelection for president. Alex De Tocqueville thought allowing the President to be reelected diminished his independence from the caprices of the majority. Tocqueville admired the idea of separation of powers and checks and balances in the legislative, judicial and executive branch. Alex felt the power of judicial review is one of the best barriers against tyranny. He sees in the American system the power of political jurisdiction does not extend to imposing penalties, making it rather mild. This mildness can be a danger within itself because there is less hesitancy to use the power. Democracy in America explains many concepts Tocqueville had about the American regime. He made a positive observation on religion. Tocqueville believed religion is for everyone. He thought religion corrected many flaws of a democratic society. Though Tocqueville thought that religion was necessary for the maintenance of a democratic society he believed church and state should be separate. Separation of church and state allows religion to maintain it’s influence in society. Over a hundred and fifty years later after Tocqueville made his observations people are reading Democracy in America and agreeing with Tocqueville’s observations and relating to his predications. The observation he made while studying the society in the American democracy was valid and still is today. Tocqueville observed that people were unable to make well reasoned choices because of being swayed more by whims and passion than by reason. This is true because today’s society is persuaded by interest groups and public opinion and not so much by reason. The observation made about majority and the fairness of the law making process was also valid. Tocqueville felt the way laws were made did not always favor the majority and this was fare to all people. Tocqueville did feel a little sketchy about reelection of a President. He felt that enabling a president to hold office consecutive terms could allow the President to hold too much power. Not everyone would agree with this observation. Some people feel if the President is leading the country strong and supporting good causes he should stay in office. This is why several of our Presidents have been elected to office for more than one term limit. Even though Presidents can only serve two terms this still could allow too much power in Tocqueville’s opinion. A very valid and important observation Tocqueville made about America was about religion and the separation of church and state. Religion is for everyone and does help society better themselves. The separation of church and state should always be separated. Tocqueville felt strongly about this subject, but, today the separation of church and state is barely existing. Many law...