Summary:tspeters
On de Toqueville’s “The Tyranny of the Majority”
Is there greater wisdom and intelligence in an agglomeration of men rather than a single individual? Is that number of men of greater importance than their quality? “The Tyranny of the Majority” by Alex de Tocqueville questions the essence of democracy–majority–and assails it for the tyranny it creates. How can one possibly live by the rule of the majority when politics and government is not only swayed by, but comprised of, customs, passions, and the general convictions of the ruling body? When a nation is ruled by the majority the question of what, or who the majority is must surely arise. How can majority rule when a nation is divided into several irreconcilable factions? In the United States, where such factions abide, according to de Tocqueville, all parties are willing to recognize the rights of the majority because they all hope to turn these rights to their own advantage at some future time. Naturally, when the rights of one majority increases, the rights of others decrease. When a notion is adopted by a majority those who disagree are free of body to do so but their soul is enslaved. As for the notion that with a greater jumble of men comes greater knowledge and thereby a greater ability for that jumble of men to govern, de Tocqueville argues that if a man possessing absolute power may misuse that power, then why should a majority not be liable to the same reproach? Men’s character does not change by agglomeration, nor does their patience–when confronted with obstacles–increase with their strength.
When an individual or party is wronged in the United States by the majority there is no one to
apply to for reconciliation, for every power is controlled by that majority which has made the offence. “However iniquitous or absurd the evil of which you complain may be, you must submit to it as well as you can.” No body of persons has intelligence enough to rule with an omnipotent
hand. It must have proper obstacles to check and retard its course. In the United States, where majority is not only accommodated, but served by all parties who lie in wait with anticipation of their own accrual, there is no hindrance which can impede its advancement toward its own ambitions that are not necessarily beneficial to all that are ruled by the majority. Nor is there anything that can cause the majority to heed the complaints of all those who are crushed upon its path. The law is unstable and the nation is subject to acts of iniquity, even such as those in nations where the absolute command is conferred upon a king, an aristocracy, a monarchy or any other uncontrolled power. Absolute command is absolute no matter the body on which it is bestowed. With the tyranny of such a majority in the United States you may be free to divert in opinion from others and even voice that opinion but it would be much advised not to do so. You will become an alien among your people. You will be shunned even by those whose opinions
coincide with yours, for they do not seek to be shunned as well. Your very existence will be looked down upon and it all will have been for naught. It does not matter what you think. The government is not a slave to your passions but to the majority’s. You are free to chose but in making that choice you may also be consummating a fate worse than death.
The Tyranny of the Majority Originally published in Shvoong: http://www.shvoong.com/law-and-politics/politics/1781013-tyranny-majority/
On de Toqueville’s “The Tyranny of the Majority”
Is there greater wisdom and intelligence in an agglomeration of men rather than a single individual? Is that number of men of greater importance than their quality? “The Tyranny of the Majority” by Alex de Tocqueville questions the essence of democracy–majority–and assails it for the tyranny it creates. How can one possibly live by the rule of the majority when politics and government is not only swayed by, but comprised of, customs, passions, and the general convictions of the ruling body? When a nation is ruled by the majority the question of what, or who the majority is must surely arise. How can majority rule when a nation is divided into several irreconcilable factions? In the United States, where such factions abide, according to de Tocqueville, all parties are willing to recognize the rights of the majority because they all hope to turn these rights to their own advantage at some future time. Naturally, when the rights of one majority increases, the rights of others decrease. When a notion is adopted by a majority those who disagree are free of body to do so but their soul is enslaved. As for the notion that with a greater jumble of men comes greater knowledge and thereby a greater ability for that jumble of men to govern, de Tocqueville argues that if a man possessing absolute power may misuse that power, then why should a majority not be liable to the same reproach? Men’s character does not change by agglomeration, nor does their patience–when confronted with obstacles–increase with their strength.
When an individual or party is wronged in the United States by the majority there is no one to
apply to for reconciliation, for every power is controlled by that majority which has made the offence. “However iniquitous or absurd the evil of which you complain may be, you must submit to it as well as you can.” No body of persons has intelligence enough to rule with an omnipotent
hand. It must have proper obstacles to check and retard its course. In the United States, where majority is not only accommodated, but served by all parties who lie in wait with anticipation of their own accrual, there is no hindrance which can impede its advancement toward its own ambitions that are not necessarily beneficial to all that are ruled by the majority. Nor is there anything that can cause the majority to heed the complaints of all those who are crushed upon its path. The law is unstable and the nation is subject to acts of iniquity, even such as those in nations where the absolute command is conferred upon a king, an aristocracy, a monarchy or any other uncontrolled power. Absolute command is absolute no matter the body on which it is bestowed. With the tyranny of such a majority in the United States you may be free to divert in opinion from others and even voice that opinion but it would be much advised not to do so. You will become an alien among your people. You will be shunned even by those whose opinions
coincide with yours, for they do not seek to be shunned as well. Your very existence will be looked down upon and it all will have been for naught. It does not matter what you think. The government is not a slave to your passions but to the majority’s. You are free to chose but in making that choice you may also be consummating a fate worse than death.
The Tyranny of the Majority Originally published in Shvoong: http://www.shvoong.com/law-and-politics/politics/1781013-tyranny-majority/
