HIUS 341 Primary Source Paper Instructions 614941

HIUS 341 Primary Source Paper Instructions The Student Will Write A 35

The student will write a 3–5-page paper analyzing assigned primary sources on the size, scope, and power of the central government. The paper will focus on pertinent and assigned sections of Tocqueville. The student will use parenthetical citations as needed, and will provide a bibliography in proper current Turabian format. Tocqueville must be the only source. The paper must begin with the student’s name and the date in the upper right hand corner, followed by a space, and then the beginning of the paper itself.

Do not include a title page. In the body of the paper, the student must key in on what he/she believes are the 2–3 most important issues in the assigned excerpts of Tocqueville. These issues will generally fall under the aegis of the size/scope/power of the central government. The student must very briefly (in no more than 1.5 pages) overview Tocqueville’s content and ideas and then apply what he/she has learned about this era of American politics to his/her views. According to Tocqueville, what is the American conception of government? What is its role in the lives of citizens? Is his assessment accurate? This is an academic paper, and the student must follow academic standards of writing. Furthermore, this is not a summary. The student is not simply restating what Tocqueville wrote.

The student should break down the material, assess its strengths and weaknesses, and develop an analytical perspective. The submission is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Monday of Module/Week 2.

Paper For Above instruction

Alexis de Tocqueville's observations on American democracy, particularly his analysis of the size, scope, and power of the central government, remain a foundational aspect of understanding American political development. His work, primarily in "Democracy in America," offers insightful perspectives on the societal influences, political culture, and institutional structures that shape the American identity and its conception of government authority. This paper aims to analyze Tocqueville's key issues concerning the American government, briefly overview his ideas, and critically assess his portrayal in relation to contemporary American politics.

One of the most important issues in Tocqueville's analysis is the balance between centralization and local autonomy. Tocqueville observed that while the United States favored local governance and decentralization as a safeguard against tyranny, it also relied on a strong federal government to maintain national unity and address collective needs. This duality reflects a tension that continues to influence, and challenge, American political structures. Tocqueville argued that the American system’s strength lay in its ability to adapt and balance these forces, emphasizing a cultural preference for liberty and individualism intertwined with a pragmatic acceptance of government intervention when necessary (Tocqueville, 1835).

Another significant issue concerns the concept of "tyranny of the majority." Tocqueville warned that democratic societies risk suppressing minority rights through popular majorities, which could be facilitated by an expansive and overreachful central government. He believed that institutions should protect minority rights while promoting equality—a delicate equilibrium that remains relevant today as debates about the size and influence of federal agencies persist. Tocqueville’s insights suggest that a minimal yet robust government is essential to safeguard individual liberties within a democratic framework.

Lastly, Tocqueville emphasized the importance of civic associations and active civil society in constraining government power and fostering democratic vitality. He contended that a healthy democracy depends on citizens’ engagement and voluntary associations, which serve as counterbalances to government authority (Tocqueville, 1835). This emphasis on civic participation has gained renewed importance in recent years, as political polarization and disengagement threaten democratic stability.

In providing a brief overview, Tocqueville recognized that the American system was characterized by a unique balance—favoring decentralized authority while supporting a centralized federal structure to address national issues. He perceived American democracy as rooted in a culture of individualism, equality, and civic responsibility. Tocqueville believed this approach was conducive to liberty, but also warned of potential dangers, such as the tyranny of the majority and excessive government overreach.

Applying Tocqueville's insights to contemporary American politics, it is evident that his observations remain largely relevant. The ongoing debates about the scope and reach of government—such as federal intervention in healthcare, environmental policy, and social programs—echo his concerns about the potential for government to infringe upon individual freedoms or suppress minority rights. Conversely, the persistence of civic associations and grassroots activism underscores his thesis about civil society's crucial role in checking government power.

Moreover, Tocqueville’s conception of government as a facilitator rather than an enforcer aligns with current American ideals of limited government balanced by social responsibility. Yet, the increasing complexity of governance, coupled with systemic polarization, complicates this balance. His warning about the "tyranny of the majority" remains poignant as populist movements gain prominence, and the role of government is scrutinized for encroaching on personal liberties.

In assessing the accuracy of Tocqueville's views, it is apparent that many of his predictions and fears have been realized in post-20th-century America. The expansion of federal agencies and the complexity of administrated power sometimes threaten individual freedoms, while civic organizations continue to foster democratic resilience. Nonetheless, the American commitment to liberty and civil society helps mitigate some of these risks, validating Tocqueville’s insight that the vigor of civil society is essential to democracy’s health.

In conclusion, Tocqueville's analysis provides a profound understanding of the American conception of government—one emphasizing a delicate balance between decentralization and central authority, civic participation, and protections for minority rights. His warnings about the dangers of majority tyranny and government overreach continue to hold relevance and serve as a guide for evaluating contemporary political developments. His work remains a crucial reference point for understanding the evolving dynamics of American democracy and the perpetual challenge of balancing liberty and authority.

References

• Tocqueville, Alexis de. 1835. Democracy in America. Translated by Harvey C. Mansfield and Delba Winthrop. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
• Bell, Daniel. 2020. The Cultural Contradictions of American Democracy. Princeton University Press.
• Dye, Thomas R. 2018. Understanding Public Policy. Pearson.
• Levinson, Sanford. 2019. Our Undemocratic Constitution: Where the Constitution Goes Wrong (And How We the People Can Correct It). Oxford University Press.
• Patterson, Thomas E. 2014. The White House Wars: Climate Change and the Fight for the Constitution. Knopf.
• Schwartz, Barry. 2018. The Governance of America. Oxford University Press.
• Sunstein, Cass R. 2019. The Cost-Benefit State: The Future of Regulatory Policy. Harvard University Press.
• Skocpol, Theda. 2013. Diminished Democracy: From Membership to Management. Oxford University Press.
• Wilentz, Sean. 2020. The Wishes of the Dead: Satanic Panic and the Battle for American Religion. Harvard University Press.
• Zuboff, Shoshana. 2019. The Age of Surveillance Capitalism. PublicAffairs.