America Alexis De Tocqueville Analysis

As previously talked about in The Federalist 10, the majority group most often threatens the rights of the minorities. Madison believes that there are only two ways to avoid the wrongs brought about by citizens. The first solution is to create a powerful government. This solution would be chancy because a government of this type may place power behind a certain group that is working against the common good. Ultimately if this occurred, the purpose for creating a powerful government would be overlooked.

The Articles of Confederation maintained the principle that the national government would not hold more power than the states, which they saw as sovereign. This did satisfy the fears and questions

A Raisin in The Sun by Lorraine Hansbury illustrates this American Dream by utilizing some irony, showing how members of a poor society achieved their dreams through hard work and family tragedy. The dreams of Mama, Beneatha and Walter all show us that, despite great obstacles, the American Dream is still possible, but maybe not in the way we might expect. One of the characters with a dream

Instead, they adopted a concept of positive liberty. In their view, the implementation of negative freedom embodied in the laissez faire liberal economic policies in the most deprived of the freedom of the American people, and almost all of the progressive reformers believe that excessive loyalty to laissez-faire liberalism has seriously damaged the American democracy. Therefore, in order to guarantee people's freedom and maintain democratic system in a very complex industrial society, liberalism must be adjusted and amended, and positive liberty should be used instead of negative freedom. Under the liberalism based on positive freedom, citizens and governments should accept this, and democracy requires the responsibility of society and the protection of

In Federalist Paper number one Alexander Hamilton states, “History will teach us…” He conveys what he is trying to say using words like despotism, emolument, obsequious, and demagogues. In an excerpt Hamilton says, “...their interest can never be separated; and that a dangerous ambition more often lurks behind the specious mask of zeal for the rights of the people than under the forbidden appearance of zeal for the firmness and efficiency of government.” In other words some of the people supporting the constitution are only doing it because they think it will increase their economical and political status and that it is hard to separate those people from the ones who actually believe in the constitution. It’s hard to separate them because they

In the excerpt The Decline of Radicalism Daniel J. Boorstin discusses the distinction between dissent and disagreement. Boorstin makes the broad claim that there is a significant difference separating the two: dissent is a poison to our society while disagreement is good. While it’s true disagreement is good it is false to claim that dissension is the “Problem of America today.” Both disagreement and dissent contribute to the functioning of a democracy as proven throughout history. The author, Boorstin, said “Disagreement is the lifeblood of democracy, dissension is it’s cancer.”

As a result, Democrats can use the arguments of both Socrates and Callicles in the Gorgias as advice for the present-day; Callicles helps Democrats to acknowledge a problem that they face, that many Americans view today’s leaders as inferior to those of the past. Socrates provides a solution to that problem: Democrats should strive to embody the rhetoric of America’s previous leaders and propose policies that are truly best for the American people, not moderate policies intended to maximize appeal. Furthermore, Callicles’ argument demonstrates that such an approach would be successful, as if any popular past leader of the United States like Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, or Franklin Delano Roosevelt were to be resurrected to run for President, they would undoubtedly win in a landslide. These leaders didn’t acquire their popularity by being moderate.

One might argue that democratic politicians also argue against their opponents, but they do not deny the very right to opposition. Therefore, it can be argued that populism is a threat to democracy. In contrast, Mouffe and Laclau argue that populism and democracy fit together, because addressing “the people” is not the problem, only excluding minorities is (Mouffe 2006, 69; Laclau 2005, 47). But a people or in-group is usually constructed as opposed to another group, for example a minority. Therefore,

The Capitol presents themselves as the so called “superiors” of Panem and are characterised as the better people because of their wealth and social position, whilst those from the poorer districts are portrayed as lesser. However they show overwhelming love and loyalty by giving what little money they have to help their districts tributes, proving that morality and humanity or a lack thereof are not dependent on social

Human nature has an interesting way of affecting people - creating some to remain content with personal possessions while creating unobtainable desires within others. People often have a certain facet about the wealthy life compared to the poor life; nevertheless, as the saying goes, “money doesn’t buy happiness.” Unfortunately, Madame Loisel learns this lesson the hard way; she was human nature’s victim for wanting the unobtainable. The irony in Madame Loisel’s life is that she does not have the fanciest possessions, but she has meaningful possessions - her husband and her health. The need to feel accepted within the society’s upper portion did more good than harm as the Loisels spend an entire decade trying to fix one night’s selfish

You should also be responsible for being a good person. This isn 't just some off the wall concept either as Samuel Adams said, “A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue then will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader.” The people of America realized long ago ago honest, honorable, just, truthful society with a love for industry and Godliness and a respect for the law will prosper. If the people are no good than no matter how good a leader, or how well the constitution is written, or how fortuitous we are, our nation is

An individual vote should be counted. (another word for according) to the 14th amendment that states “”, meaning that the citizens of the United States need “fair representation”. Because of the Electoral College, it is not (another word for happning). This (another word for misinterpretation) has been (another word for proven) in at least two elections and people are getting (another word for fed up) with the failure of democracy. The Declaration of Independence states, “Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government”.

Although it can be seen as a reasonable theory to implement in times of controversy, there are a few issues that still arise from this theory. Some weaknesses include inconsistency, and lack of substantiation, but one of the biggest flaws of living constitutionalism as argued by originalists, is that judges are given too much power, and belittle the power of the legislature and the American people. The main question that arises is how does the public know that judges are the best representatives to comprehend the nations fundamental values? Judges are granted the responsibility to alter the meaning of the constitution based on their own personal motives and beliefs, and they have powers that are far beyond those of legislators, who were structured to ensure representation of the American people. Congress and judges come from different environments, and different motives.

In his article, “Equality, Expectation, and Envy,” Alain de Botton rests on the idea that due to status envy, people cannot be truly happy with their current standings because they are always putting themselves into comparisons with those who surround them. Throughout time, people seem to feel as though “neither who they are nor what they have is quite enough” (25), and due to these situations, people are always in search of becoming better, or succeeding above those whom they consider themselves in relation to. Botton bases his arguments through means of philosophy, historical documents, psychological evidence, various writers, etc., all through recurring times in the past where similar instances have occurred. Botton makes the case that

Self-interest rightly understoo; represented a desire to serve the general good and understanding of the social dimension of private choices that was a complex balance of seemingly opposite goals. The federal government encouraged people to balance public good and private interest, as did intermediate institutions such as voluntary associations and the structure of family life. By pursuing each individuals’ own interests, the total benefit to society was greatest for all. Tocqueville initially compared enlightened interest in a negative way with classical concept of virtue, seeing Americans as driven primarily by material gain.