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CF 3333 Clash of Cultures

Tocqueville -- Carter Lecture (18 October 2005)

THE GROWTH OF DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS

 

 

I. Democracy

A. Some Definitions of Democracy

                                        1. equality 208 c1, par 1

2. popular control, in some sense, of government 183 c1, par 1

pluralism - competition of ideas and institutions 216 c1 par 1

Americans combat effects of isolation through association- associations reunite & empower- see 210, c2- 213

B. Democratic Institutions

1. institutions note plural- no master institution

democratic institutions: pluralism

C. The Age of Democratic Revolutions

age of democratic revolutions adds to, enhances democratization- a process moving toward freedom- start of new age 269 bottom c1ff.

Political Democracy: England as Case Study

          Pluralism: the Heritage of ’88

          economic: Adam Smith,Wealth of Nations, 1776 laissez-faire

                    social: second hand clothes

          religious- heritage of 1688, Catholic & Jewish emancipartion

                    political: loyal opposition, mass parties

                   mitigating effect of the Wesleys

B. Popular Control of Government

1. 1688: the victory of Parliament after the Glorious Revolution

2. the growth of “democracy;” revenue officers disfranchised, 1782; rise of middle class: Catholic Emancipation, 1829

                                        3. extension of the vote

a. 1832: reapportionment and end of rotten boroughs

  • b.1867: extension of suffrage by one million voters, decreased qualifications
  • c. 1884: right to vote granted to every male over 21 who was “inhabitant occupier”

         d. 1918: abolition of property qualifications; universal male  suffrage; vote to women over 30; women in Commons

    equality- legal & political- largely yes by 1900- social & economic largely no

    red brick universities, mass dailies as moves toward equality

    III. Democratic Culture in the United States

    A new people: Tocqueville

    no chain of being- 209 c1 par 3 middle class triumphant

    Individualism

                                            definition- 208 bottom c1

    T’s perspective- atomization- 210 c1 par 2

    small private circle- 258 c2 on to the master bedroom of 20th century

    Equality

    new kind of relationships between folk

              master-servant- 239 and following

    parent-child- 244 and following-see 246 c2 last par

              note freedom of young women – 250ff. note rationality of young women- bottom of 250 c2 par 2

    D. Materialism 222 ff

    T discovers North Park & CM- taste for well- being, for things, for money- all very evident in the new “industrial aristocracy discussed on 232ff- irony- but real fear- note 234 c2 last par

    IV. Democratic Institutions in the United States

    Self Rule

    problem- 192 c1 last – also 199 c1 par 2 but mitigating factors

             decentralized government- 200 c1 last par

             the law, teaching respect & prudence- 201 c2 par 1

             the jury- 202

                                 religion- 220ff.

     

    B. Intermediate Organization

    1. “public association,” Tocqueville- 215 c2 par 1

  • 2. intermediate organizations and pluralism
  • the Church as intermediate organization

    V. Tocqueville and Democracy

    Ambiguity

    Carter’s interpretation- top of 192

    inevitability of democracy

    reason for trip

              search for aristocratic surrogates-

              churches, the bar, civic groups

    and yet the real problem of majoritarianism- see 195 col 2 note relationship of majoritarianism & egalitarianism

    B. Problems of Democracy

  • 1. neighbor as tyrant: Mrs. Grundy –197 c1 par 2
  • 2. equality and liberty not always compatiblee

     

     

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