Democracy in America and Two Essays on America by Alexis de Tocqueville

Democracy in America and Two Essays on America by Alexis de Tocqueville is a seminal work of political philosophy that examines the social and political climate of the United States during its formative period of development. Originally written in two volumes in the early 1830s, de Tocqueville's work sought to bring to life the principles of the revolutionary period, including the right to vote, the bond between the citizens and their government, and the separation of church and state.

The two volumes of Democracy in America considers the United States as a newly-born democracy, while the accompanying essays consider the effects of the revolutionary period on various forms of government and society. De Tocqueville aimed to expose the values and principles of liberty, individualism, and democracy through his writings.

The first volume of Democracy in America examines the United States as a newly-created republic and gives the reader a glimpse of the evolving country. De Tocqueville takes care to compare the democracy of the United States to the other nations of the world, noting that America enjoys a much higher degree of freedom and opportunity for its citizens when compared to the other nations. He examines the safety of the citizens of the United States, detailing the strength of the government and its ability to protect the rights of individuals.

In addition, de Tocqueville also considers the beliefs of the citizens and their feelings of patriotism, including their commitment to liberty and equality. This commitment to liberty and individualism was one of the main themes of the work, and the author sought to bring it to the attention of the reader.

The second volume of Democracy in America is composed of two essays. The first essay, entitled “Democracy in America and its Prospects”, examines the history of democracy and its effects on the United States. Through this essay, de Tocqueville examines the circumstances behind the success of the United States and compares them to other nations. He identifies the issues that are common among democratic societies, from issues related to social unrest to those related to government and public opinion.

The second essay, which is the second part of the second volume, takes a more historical perspective on the effects of democracy on the United States. This essay, entitled “Two Essays on America”, explores the reign of George Washington, as well as the political and social changes that occurred under subsequent presidents, such as Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson. De Tocqueville analyzes the actions of each president to determine the impact each had on the growth and development of democratic values in the United States.

In conclusion, Democracy in America and Two Essays on America by Alexis de Tocqueville is a collection of essays that capture the essence of democracy during the early years of the United States. De Tocqueville’s unique approach to examining the development of democracy in America serves to highlight its successes as well as its shortcomings. Through this collection of essays, he has provided readers with an insightful and thought-provoking look at how democracy has influenced America’s history, culture, and politics.