In a 2-4 page essay, with your name only in the upper right-hand corner, with a title, single-spaced, written within normal margins, in 12-point Times New Roman font, choose one of the topics below from Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America, and ask: “What is Tocqueville’s greatest lesson on citizenship and self-government?”
Structure the essay this way:
Introduction. Explain the importance of the topic and why it matters in one paragraph. State your main argument (1 paragraph).
The Democratic Problem. Explain the political, social or cultural problem that he sees in democratic life (1-2 paragraphs).
The American Solution. Explain the solution that he observes, and how Americans manage the problem (1-2 paragraphs).
Conclusion. Explain how strong traditional safeguards are today, and the overall lesson for citizenship (1 paragraph).
Topics (choose one):
Dangers of Democracy (pp. 102-127). How is democracy a danger to itself? How do Americans minimize that danger?
Mind and Spirit (pp. 169-187). How is democracy a threat to philosophic truth or revealed religion? How do Americans avoid those dangers?
Science (pp. 187-195). What is the democratic sense of scientific truth? How do Americans cultivate the arts and sciences?
Psychology (pp. 201-226). Why is democratic individualism a danger to happiness? How do Americans make the most of individualism and self-interest?
Commerce and Industry (pp. 226-241). What are the attributes of democratic materialism? How do Americans moderate it?
Marriage and Family (248-268). What does democracy threaten to do to marriage and the family? How do Americans prevent this?
Democracy and the Rest of the World (pp. 268-297; 304-319). How might global democracy go bad for the rest of the world? How might the American example prevent this?
Be sure to cite any quotes with the page number in parentheses — e.g., “Don’t drink the water!” Tocqueville warned (10).
