Tocqueville Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Brock Demus McLeod

Day 11 (p. 207 to 227) Tocqueville argues that the multitude is not wise, yet in a democracy, it governs. Should it? Or should the government be aristocratic – if not in people, then in principle?

Tocqueville makes some interesting and, to us, rather shocking claims about the freedoms of the press and association, which we take largely for granted… Continue reading Day 11 (p. 207 to 227) Tocqueville argues that the multitude is not wise, yet in a democracy, it governs. Should it? Or should the government be aristocratic – if not in people, then in principle?

PUBLISHED ON August 20, 2015March 3, 2017BY Brockin Responses to Democracy in America
Democracy in America, Plato, Tocqueville

Day 10 (p. 186 to 206): Tocqueville explores the parties in America and finds democratic and aristocratic tendencies at play. Is it aristocratic to oppose a national daycare program? Is supply-management undemocratic?

After explaining that not all countries could adopt a federal system similar to America’s because other countries face greater political challenges than America, such… Continue reading Day 10 (p. 186 to 206): Tocqueville explores the parties in America and finds democratic and aristocratic tendencies at play. Is it aristocratic to oppose a national daycare program? Is supply-management undemocratic?

PUBLISHED ON August 19, 2015March 3, 2017BY Brockin Responses to Democracy in America
Democracy in America, national childcare, supply-management, Tocqueville

Day 9 (p.166 to 186): Tocqueville argues that the wisdom of the founding fathers gave America a government that is strong enough to defend itself, but not so strong as to oppress the people, much like Plato’s guardians. Were the founding fathers philosopher-kings?

“The Union is as happy and as free as a small people, and as glorious and as strong as a great nation (p.186)”. Tocqueville… Continue reading Day 9 (p.166 to 186): Tocqueville argues that the wisdom of the founding fathers gave America a government that is strong enough to defend itself, but not so strong as to oppress the people, much like Plato’s guardians. Were the founding fathers philosopher-kings?

PUBLISHED ON August 18, 2015March 3, 2017BY Brockin Responses to Democracy in America
Democracy in America, Plato, Tocqueville

Day 8 (p. 148 to 166): Any method of electing a head of state has downsides. What are the downsides of our Prime Minister having the option to run for re-election indefinitely? Is this why we see baby bonuses timed for re-election and partisan ads on the taxpayer’s dime?

Tocqueville continues to examine the effects of electing a head of State, or President, in this case, turning particular attention to the election process. He… Continue reading Day 8 (p. 148 to 166): Any method of electing a head of state has downsides. What are the downsides of our Prime Minister having the option to run for re-election indefinitely? Is this why we see baby bonuses timed for re-election and partisan ads on the taxpayer’s dime?

PUBLISHED ON August 17, 2015March 3, 2017BY Brockin Responses to Democracy in America
Democracy in America, Tocqueville

Day 6 (p. 109 to 124): Reading Tocqueville reminds us that we can forget the original reasons for particular laws, such as maintaining public order, which should lead us to refrain from taking fences down unless we know the reasons they were put up. Do we really want proportional representation?

Tocqueville analyzes the effect of having a constitution in America and how it is set up. Among other things, he is comparing this with the… Continue reading Day 6 (p. 109 to 124): Reading Tocqueville reminds us that we can forget the original reasons for particular laws, such as maintaining public order, which should lead us to refrain from taking fences down unless we know the reasons they were put up. Do we really want proportional representation?

PUBLISHED ON August 8, 2015March 3, 2017BY Brockin Responses to Democracy in America
Chesterton, Democracy in America, Liberal studies, Proportional representation, Tocqueville

Incubating Democracy

This letter first appeared in the August 7, 2015 edition of the Cowichan Valley Citizen. I am reading a book on the public spirit that… Continue reading Incubating Democracy

PUBLISHED ON August 7, 2015March 3, 2017BY Brockin Politics, Responses to Democracy in America
role of government, Tocqueville

Alexis de Tocqueville

Day 3 (p. 39 to 60): Do we have room in society to innovate politically anymore? And, is too much equality a bad thing? That is, do we need a leisure class to create leaders?

“It seemed as if New England was a region given up to the dreams of fancy and the unrestrained experiments of innovators (p. 40)”. What… Continue reading Day 3 (p. 39 to 60): Do we have room in society to innovate politically anymore? And, is too much equality a bad thing? That is, do we need a leisure class to create leaders?

PUBLISHED ON August 6, 2015March 3, 2017BY Brockin Responses to Democracy in America
Democracy in America, Machiavelli, Peter Thiel, Plato, Tocqueville, Utopia

Alexis de Tocqueville

Day 2 (p. 19 to 39): Is the tree in the seed? That is, is a people trapped by its origins, such as the more racist American South? What would this mean for aboriginal relations in Canada?

Tocqueville takes time to describe the geography of America, its native inhabitants and the situation and characteristics of its early settlers. He claims that we… Continue reading Day 2 (p. 19 to 39): Is the tree in the seed? That is, is a people trapped by its origins, such as the more racist American South? What would this mean for aboriginal relations in Canada?

PUBLISHED ON August 5, 2015March 3, 2017BY Brockin Responses to Democracy in America
Darwin, Democracy in America, Puritanism, Rousseau, Tocqueville