Alexis De Tocqueville Analysis

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“I confess that in America I saw more than America; I sought the image of democracy itself, with its inclinations, its character, its prejudices, and its passions, in order to learn what we have to fear or hope from its progress”. Alexis De Tocqueville along with the help of Gustave De Beaumont sent out to study America and the essence of America. For nine months these two young Frenchmen traveled the New World, speaking to Presidents, bankers lawyers and newly settled communities. Alexis De Tocqueville was born in Paris on July 19, 1805 to Herve-Bonaventure Clerel de Tocqueville and Louise Le Peletier de Rosanbo. Growing up Tocqueville was privately tutored until high school; at that point he attended a public high school along with Metz …show more content…
Tocqueville explains that in America the people vote for the lawmakers and the President; they also make up the Jury that punishes breaches of the Law. (Tocqueville 201). With that said the people directly nominate their representatives and chose them every year giving America’s society a more dependent aspect. With the people governing America comes privileges, such as Freedom of the Press. Alexis De Tocqueville believes that this is a necessary consequence of the sovereignty of the people and it not only influences political opinions but also on men’s opinions, it also modifies customs and laws. His affection for it stems from his regard for the evil’s it prevents rather than the benefits it produces (Tocqueville 210). On July 17, Tocqueville met with John Canfield Spencer a very popular man of law, known for being a successful lawyer and district attorney; they spoke about the press, politics, lawyers and judges. The two spoke about the press and the influence it has on public opinion, with that said Spencer comes to say that he believes it has a great influence but that it is not exercised the same way as France, for example we attach very little importance to the opinions of journalists. They only gain influence by the facts they make known and the turn they give to them, this can sometimes cause misleading public opinion about a man or topic. John Canfield Spencer sums it up by saying that press under all governments will always be an intimidating weapon
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