The March of Democracy
I found it interesting that the spread of democracy was described as being willed by God, something perfectly natural. This should entail that the spread of democracy should be favorable for all, people should welcome democracy with open arms. I argue that this is not the case. If it is natural and willed by God, then why didn’t wasn’t it more prevalent in Europe way before America was even known to exist. I believe that the march of democracy is much more appropriate to describe democracy’s history of spreading. In America the spread of democracy was never peaceful, and it ruined the lives of many people, namely the Native Americans. First, this spread of democracy was initiated by a war between the colonies and Britain. A war is certainly not a “natural” and “God willed” way for democracy to start. As violent as the spread was at the beginning, it continued in such fashion till today. A perfect example is the war in Iraq. It seems as though every where democracy has spread to, it has needed to be implemented with war and bloodshed. This seems to me to be the opposite of a natural and peaceful spread democracy, rather a forceful entrance of something clearly unwelcome.
posted by Chris Rowland at 1:49 AM
3 Comments:
I agree with you and I think that De Tocqeville's Democracy in America oversimplified the road to democracy in America. He said, "this country is reaping the fruits of the democratic revolution, without having had the revolution itself" (De Tocqueville, 13). That statement was a huge oversight on his part, it was called American REVOLUTION!!
Yeah, I'd say its pretty hard to point to a democracy without also seeing the bloodshed and conflict that preceded its institution. Tocqeville takes the classic British imperialist stance that ownership of the land, and in particular using it for agriculture, makes a society civilized. Since the indians didn't do this he is able to view their displacement as a natural progression rather than the eradication of a complex society.
I agree with your point about the violent nature of democracy, however I also agree with De Tocqueville that Democracy was the direction governmental systems were heading. They were "natural" but not because they were willed by God. Instead, I would say that it was part of the progression of governmental development. Just like eventually, there will be another swing away from Democracy to some other form of government. Perhaps a return to monarchy or perhaps a turn towards a completely new form.
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