Alexis Tocqueville: The Power of the Majority

The Power of the Majority: Alexis de Tocqueville

Adult Great Books Program, First Series, Volume 2, 1985

Discussion Questions

1. According to Tocqueville, where does the American government get its moral authority? Do you agree? [page 170] Why do you think he uses the term “moral” vs. “legal” authority?

2. Tocqueville says [page 174] “…a people has the right to do whatsoever it pleases; and yet I have asserted that all authority originates in the will of the majority. Am I, then, in contradiction with myself?” How does he address this? Do you agree with his explanation?

3. What does Tocqueville mean when he differentiates the sovereignty of the “people” from the sovereignty of “mankind”? Does he mean that people have rights beyond those accorded by a majority government? If so, what are they? [page 174]

4. [Page 176] Tocqueville asks, “When an individual or a party is wronged in the United States, to whom can he apply for redress?” How does he answer this? Is he right? What do you think the redress is? Should be?

5. What does Tocqueville say is needed to avoid the “tyranny of the majority”? Do we have that now?

6. [Page 178] How does he compare Europe and the United States in “true independence of mind and freedom of discussion”? What does, according to Tocqueville, having a monarchy have to do with it? Would he say the same thing now as he did in 1831?

7. What would Tocqueville say about our modern-day “cancel culture”?

8. To Tocqueville, why do great writers not exist in the United States? [page 180] Do you think that was true in 1831? Is it true now?

9. To Tocqueville, how does the tyranny of the majority impact the “national character of the Americans”? Do you agree? Why or why not? [page 181]

10. [Page 183] He says that patriotism in the United States is found among the people, but not the leaders of the people. What does he mean by this? Do you agree or disagree? Why?

11. How does the absence of central administration in the United States impact the tyranny of the majority? How does Tocqueville compare this to Europe? Was it true in 1831? Is it true now? If different, how did it change? [pages 185ff]

12. Why does he have such a positive view of the role and importance of attorneys in democracy in the United States?

13. He says that “trial by jury” provides a lot of benefits to democracy. What are they? Do you agree?

BONUS QUESTIONS!

14. What would David Hume say about Tocqueville’s views on the tyranny of the majority? Would they agree on basic principles of justice?

15. What parallels are there between Tocqueville’s views of the “power of the majority” and Freuds notions of the “discontents” in civilization?