Dakota Beacon

I have been reading Alexis De Tocqueville “Democracy in America”.  I have a confession to make, “I am distressed because the America Tocqueville writes about is on the verge of extinction”.

Why, you might, ask? When he wrote about America in the early 1830-40’s he compared the result of America’s revolution to that of France.  Democracy in America was built on everyday people’s involvement and decision making (bottom up), while France was monarchial/king (top down). 

He writes how America’s success required participation of individuals at all levels of government, involvement at a township level (meaning local), was essential to a well-functioning democracy. It wasn’t run from a overreaching central government.  

As the federal government has expanded in function and authority, America has moved to the left with authoritarian tendencies.

If America is to reclaim its destiny “As the city on a hill”, it will require the grassroots; everyday people to get involved and take back their God-given rights.

Freedom requires vigilance!  Apathy and ignorance are the death of a free society.

If you boil down the five (5) primary thoughts of Tocqueville they would be:

• Liberty
• Egalitarianism
• Individualism
• Populist
• Laissez-faire

Liberty: freedom from arbitrary and unreasonable restraint upon an individual. Freedom from restraint refers to more than just physical restraint, but also the freedom to act according to one's own will.

Egalitarianism:  The doctrine that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities.  A belief in human equality especially with respect to social, political, and economic affairs.

Individualism:  A doctrine that the interests of the individual are or ought to be ethically paramount.  (2): the conception that all values, rights, and duties originate in individuals. b: a theory maintaining the political and economic independence of the individual and stressing individual initiative, action, and interests.

Populism:  A believer in the rights, wisdom, or virtues of the common people.

Laissez-faire:  A doctrine opposing governmental interference in economic affairs beyond the minimum necessary for the maintenance of peace and property rights.

All aspects of the five (5) points have eroded and may not be recoverable.

Tocqueville goes on to say, “Democracy extends the sphere of individual freedom, socialism restricts it. Democracy attaches all possible value to each man; socialism makes each man a mere agent - a mere number. Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word: equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude.” 

He also says, “Nothing is more wonderful than the art of being free, but nothing is harder to learn how to use than freedom.” 

Tocqueville says, “Everybody feels the evil, but no one has courage or energy enough to seek the cure”.

Our protection, Tocqueville concludes, lies in association.  The individual can be trampled on with impunity, but if we join together, in groups representing our common interests, the encroachment of government can be prevented.

If we work hard with perseverance and passion, we can succeed in protecting our most precious inheritance – Liberty!

My favorite quote from Tocqueville is:

“I should have loved freedom, I believe, at all times, but in the time in which we live I am ready to worship it.”

I would ask you to get involved at a local level or whatever God has called you to and go out and make a difference!