On
de Toqueville’s “The Tyranny of the Majority”
Is
there greater wisdom and intelligence
in an agglomeration of men
rather than a single individual? Is that number of men of greater
importance than their quality? “The Tyranny of the Majority” by
Alex de Tocqueville questions the essence of democracy–majority–and
assails it for the tyranny it creates. How can one possibly live by
the rule of the majority when politics and
government is not only
swayed by, but comprised of, customs, passions, and the general
convictions of the ruling body? When a nation is ruled by the
majority the question of what, or who the majority is must surely
arise. How can
majority rule when a nation is divided into several
irreconcilable factions? In the United States, where such factions
abide, according to de Tocqueville, all parties are willing to
recognize the rights of the majority because they all hope to turn
these rights to their own advantage at some future time. Naturally,
when the rights of one majority increases, the rights of others
decrease. When a notion is adopted by a majority those who disagree
are free of body to do so but their soul is enslaved. As
for the notion that with a greater jumble of men comes greater
knowledge and thereby a greater ability for that jumble of men to
govern, de Tocqueville argues that if a man possessing absolute
power may misuse that power, then why should a majority not be liable
to the same reproach? Men’s character does not change by
agglomeration, nor does their patience–when confronted with
obstacles–increase with their strength. When an individual or party
is wronged in the United States by the majority there is no one to
apply to for reconciliation, for every power is controlled by that
majority which has made the offence. “However iniquitous or absurd
the evil of which you complain may be, you must submit to it as well
as you can.” No
body of persons has intelligence enough to rule with an omnipotent
hand. It must have proper obstacles to check and retard its course.
In the United States, where majority is not only accommodated, but
served by all parties who lie in wait with anticipation of their own
accrual, there is no hindrance which can impede its advancement
toward its own ambitions that are not necessarily beneficial to all
that are ruled by the majority. Nor is there anything that can cause
the majority to heed the complaints of all those who are crushed upon
its path. The law is unstable and the nation is subject to acts of
iniquity, even such as those in nations where the absolute command is
conferred upon a king, an aristocracy, a monarchy or any other
uncontrolled power. Absolute command is absolute no matter the body
on which it is bestowed. With
the tyranny of such a majority in the United States you may be free
to divert in opinion from others and even voice that opinion but it
would be much advised not to do so. You will become an alien among
your people. You will be shunned even by those whose opinions
coincide with yours, for they do not seek to be shunned as well. Your
very existence will be looked down upon and it all will have been for
naught. It does not matter what you think. The government is not a
slave to your passions but to the majority’s. You are free to chose
but in making that choice you may also be consummating a fate worse
than death.