Democracy in America

Tocqueville opens with a description of how much popular sovereignty matters in the United States, specifying, “the people name their representatives directly and generally choose them every year in order to keep them more completely under their dependence” (165). This means that “the majority” in the population exercises considerable force in society. Tocqueville describes this group as “peaceful citizens who, either by taste or by interest, sincerely desire the good of the country” (165). Political parties are constantly working to gain its support.

Tocqueville distinguishes between citizens with deep and fundamental disagreements, and “when citizens differ among themselves on points that interest all portions of the country equally, such as, for example, the general principles of government” (166). Tocqueville considers “great parties” those who concern themselves with fundamental principles. He has disdain for small parties, declaring, “The means that they employ are miserable, as is the very goal they propose for themselves” (167).

After the Revolutionary War, the United States had two parties locked in debate about the extent of popular sovereignty and the size of government: “One opinion wanted to restrict popular power, the other to extend it indefinitely” (167). Tocqueville points out that the Federalist Party may no longer exist, but its supporters of a strong federal government left a key legacy in the form of the Constitution.