Wednesday, January 31, 2007

American Democracy as Frankenstein's Monster?

In his book, De Tocqueville makes an interesting analogy between Democracy and a being who is forced to grow up on the streets without parent or education. "Democracy has consequently been abandoned to its wild instincts, and it has grown up like those children who have no parental guidance, who receive their education in the public streets, and who are acquainted only with the vices and wretchedness of society" (Democracy in America, 7-8 ). In relation to the experimental nature of Democracy, we can use this analogy to show similarities between Frankenstein's monster and this experimental form of government.
The monster was ignored by it's creator and forced to raise itself on the streets without education or a way of understanding. It was alone and isolated, but through natural survival instincts it was able to seek out shelter where it learned about the world through observation of a family. It was at this very early stage in its life that the monster was as it describes itself, "benevolent; my soul glowed with love and humanity" (66). During this time it also did good deeds, specifically for Felix's family, who it helped protect and keep well. However, as it aged and learned the ways of the world, it grew hardened and was at one point scorned at which it changed from it's benevolent, humane ways to that of a wretched creature who seemingly lacked all form of conscience.
In this way, an interesting parallel can be seen between these two creations of men. Both Victor and the Founding Fathers studied their respective sciences and then created an entity based on their studies. The creation of Frankenstein's monster was peaceful and helpful in it's early life, but then turned vengeful and violent in its later life.
Will American Democracy follow the same path?

2 Comments:

Blogger Zach said...

This government is still young (by comparison standards), but it just recently had one interesting development along these lines. The decision to go to war in Iraq was a break on previous precedent to never start a war without provocation...has the benevolent, good-natured government made a turn towards destruction and wretchedness?

3:28 PM  
Blogger britt rusert said...

good questions.

3:55 PM  

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