Democracy as Oppression of the Majority - Essay Example

Tocqueville stipulated that democracy plays a crucial role concerning influencing the opinion of the members of the public, serving as the foundation of the country’s economy, and helping people to realize their freedom and authority (Nolla 36). The spirit of patriotism is the one that drives American citizens. They are also self-governing and the will of the people is the one that determines how the nation will be ruled.

Tocqueville refers to this as “majority omnipotence,” which means that the mainstream society is the one that rules the nation while the minority gets oppressed. To demonstrate this, Tocqueville offers an example of the American Indians and the blacks who were subjected to suffering for centuries in their own country (Nolla 37). Though Tocqueville significantly approves of the amount of freedom that is present in the US, he reveals elements of pessimism when he points out the concept of the “art of being free.

” Here, he stipulates that freedom in America is in a constant process of transformation; whereby as one form becomes non-existent another one emerges. Since this transformation process cannot be avoided, people are encouraged to stand ready and fight for their independence. Conversely, Tocqueville demonstrates significant attentiveness to the US since it serves as the foundation for democracy, which cannot flourish for long in the face of individual manifestation (Nolla 38).