Democracy in America - Tocqueville Flashcards
What is fundamental element of democracy?
The equality of conditions, also called equality of opportunities (not equality of outcome or income, nor freedom). It takes broad participation of citizens in public life on local levels. Participation on local level means imposing constraints on centralization of administration.
Is democracy a form of government?
Tocqueville believed democracy is all-encompassing way of life.
What is equality applied to intellect by Tocqueville?
A belief that there is more wisdom in many men than in any one - this is why crowd has more wisdom collectively vs a single leader no matter how brilliant this leader is.
What is key difference between Ancient Athens or the Roman Republic and US by Tocqueville?
Ancient Athens or the Roman Republic are rather small, they were aristocratic republics, unlike democracy in US.
What are distinctions between equality and freedom?
equality of conditions doesn’t have to penetrate political institutions and there can be a civil equality. equality is about elimination of barriers between people. there can be equality without freedom, also there can be freedom without equality. equality and freedom are different in what they produce and how they are maintained. people also find them inextricable elements.
