Despotism In Democracy In America

Dangers of Despotism in a Democratic Age In his book, Democracy in America, Alexis de Tocqueville expresses his concerns regarding the emergence of despotism in the new democratic age of New England. For Tocqueville, despotism does not solely reside in one man. Despotism is a form of power that does not abide by the laws or rules. According to Tocqueville, despotism is not the rule of a single person; it does not lead to the rise of a single tyrant. Rather, despotism is an arbitrary form of power, which exists to oppose popular sovereignty. From where does despotism rise? The root cause of despotism, in the new democratic age, is the spreading of the idea of equality. The promising new democratic age gave birth to the concept of equality. Equality is a concept cherished
This new kind of despotism which Tocqueville speaks of is “more widespread and kinder; it would debase men without tormenting them” (804). The road to despotism, in the new democracy starts off with equality. Equality breaks bonds across generations and is, therefore, successful in isolating us. Isolationism is the road to despotism. As isolationism grows, individualism emerges and self-interest takes over. Once there is an attitude of indifference to public virtue, despotism arises. This despotism does not take the form of a single person. Rather, the government, or the state, takes charge of the citizens. The government rules over the citizens like a father would rule over his family. According to Tocqueville, the new democracy has a different kind of despotism to face. This new kind of despotism is a form of power that does not abide by a law or rule. The main concern is that despotism is inevitable in the new democracy because it is the very concept of democracy, equality for all, that breeds