Alexis de Tocqueville argued in Democracy in America there might not be a true institutional checks on the sovereignty of the people in a democracy and this sovereignty is, in effect, a form of tyranny which could appear in a democracy. However, according to de Tocqueville, there were ways the United States has mitigated this form of oppression. Describe this form of tyranny and how it may impact Americans according to de Tocqueville as well as the ways the people of the United States have worked to counter these potential abuses. In addition, explain what you think about this argument? Does de Tocqueville’s position have merit? Why or why not? Is the sovereignty of Americans absolute? Are there other ways to mitigate the people’s power that he missed? Do the ways that he described to alleviate this tyranny still work?
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