Alexis de Tocqueville was an aristocratic Frenchman who was homeschooled. He came to America when he was 25 years old, in 1831, and wrote a two-volume study of what he saw, entitled ''Democracy in America''. His insightful observations continue to be cited to this day. His two fundamental conclusions were that in America (1) the majority is considered to be "right" and (2) every individual is the "only lawful judge" of his own interests. Those two principles conflict with each other to this day. Which matters most in America, the majority or the individual? De Tocqueville also had other insights: our high level of faith in America, our reliance on family, and our way of life on the frontier. At the time the United States was the world's greatest democratic form of government. We still are. | Alexis de Tocqueville was an aristocratic Frenchman who was homeschooled. He came to America when he was 25 years old, in 1831, and wrote a two-volume study of what he saw, entitled ''Democracy in America''. His insightful observations continue to be cited to this day. His two fundamental conclusions were that in America (1) the majority is considered to be "right" and (2) every individual is the "only lawful judge" of his own interests. Those two principles conflict with each other to this day. Which matters most in America, the majority or the individual? De Tocqueville also had other insights: our high level of faith in America, our reliance on family, and our way of life on the frontier. At the time the United States was the world's greatest democratic form of government. We still are. |