Jacksonian Dem
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HST201-U.S. History I (GT-HI1)
Introduction Tocqueville’s claim that “American Democracy would eventually overthrow monarchies” after reviewing the election of Jackson, was a sentiment born out of a dichotomy of circumstances. In this paper, I will address who benefitted from Jacksonian Democracy and explain how you imagine this provided Tocqueville with his high esteem of democracy.
Analysis
While recognizing the benefits that American Democracy brought to the common man, Tocqueville also realized that there was very little recourse for those who harbored grievances against the majority rule, as they became isolated and potentially even outcasts by the system (Corbett et. Al.,2019). Given that the purest form of democracy is essentially mob rule, Tocqueville understood that any democratic government required certain restraints on the power of the people, but in commentating on the Jackson Democratic movement, he was acutely aware of the pitfalls of overwhelming majority rule, where no independent arbiter of disputes truly existed (Corbett et. Al.,2019).
Andrew Jackson swept to power on a platform of promised anti-corruption by the elites and reform of “principled egalitarian thrust” (Corbett et. Al.,2019). However, his
promises, although viewed as a reformist for the average white settler, who finally felt that they had a stake in the democratic reforms of their nation, also further isolated and denigrated slaves and the indigenous population of the Native Indians, as proposals were made for further expansion into native lands. However, this was not a consideration of Alexis de Tocqueville, as native people and slaves were treated with equal contempt by both the white Americas and the Europeans. Tocqueville’s concerns were instead directed at the wronged or disenfranchised members of the white American society, where no independent body existed to adjudicate their claims. Tocqueville made this clear in his statement that “even the judges are elected by the majority” (Corbett et. Al.,2019), remarking that majority rule left no recourse for any alternative or objective opinion.
In short, Tocqueville saw a true democracy as being devoid of self-reflection and
opposed to any dissenting points of view, which again, is an indirect commentary on mob rule. He proposed this in his belief that the tyranny of the majority, overpowers the will of minorities and individuals (Corbett et. Al.,2019), what today we would call the “Big
State”. Although Tocqueville was aware of the inequality of the ruling classes of Europe, such as monarchists and the elites who supported them but saw an even greater danger in a movement of people, who collectively shared the same opinions, a stance that left no room for an alternative perspective or moderation of thought. Jackson’s electoral win was secured by his slogan “Champion of the Common Man” (U.S.history, 2022). Where he, of course, was referring to that of the white man and not native tribes or slaves. The Jackson Democracy represented both the best and worst qualities of American society. It encouraged the spread of white rule expansion towards the west, helping western settlers and farmers secure native lands, which were
confiscated without remuneration or recourse. The Jackson candidacy gave hope to the
white American population, who had felt excluded by governments that were made up of
elitists, which were voted in by elitist groups, who in turn, were self-serving and enjoyed “special privileges” that were denied to the majority (Corbett et. Al.,2019). Therefore, Jackson, for the first time, truly offered the common man a stake in the running of the country, albeit from the white man’s perspective. He promised egalitarian thrust and equality among the masses while emphasizing the corruption and inequality of past administrations (U.S.history, 2022).
Conclusion
It does appear that Alexis de Tocqueville was truly impressed by the democratic rights that the American government under Andrew Jackson’s administration (the “Jackson Democracy”) afforded to the common man, something that was unthinkable in a monarchist society, with its hierarchy of elitists groups and its blatant disregard for the plight of the masses. Even women were elevated under Jackson and given a voice as part of his plan for fairness for the majority. In fact, the women’s suffrage for the vote movement started during the Jackson administration.
Tocqueville also marveled at how the majority enjoyed equal rights under the law, without the risk of persecution or prejudice. However, he also recognized the dangers of allowing all societal positions to be open to election, where decisions would be made upon biased judgments only from below, instead of from above, this also fueled additional concerns for the level of education of those who might be elected to represent the majority. And finally, Tocqueville feared that the power of the majority might bread a tyrannical society that knew no bounds or control, which could overpower
the opinions of the minority or that of the individual. Tocqueville believed that the unchecked power of the majority could influence any debate and exclude dissenting thoughts or judgment. This is evident when Tocqueville wrote, “I know no country in
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which there is so little true independence of mind and freedom of discussion as in America” (U.S.history, 2022).
References:
Corbett, P. S., Janssen, V., Lund, J. M., Pfannestiel, T., & Vickery, P. (2019). U.S. history. Chapters 9-10 OpenStax. https://cnx.org/contents/p7ovuIkl@8.2:gMXC1GEM@7/Introduction
ushistory.org (2022) Jacksonian Democracy and Modern America. U.S. History Online Textbook. Retrieved from ://www.ushistory.org/us/23f.asp