[Bob Crosby]

It is imperative that Americans recognize and uphold the significance of our fundamental liberties, lest they be jeopardized. Alexis de Tocqueville gave his insightful analysis of what could lead to democratic decline in the early 1800’s. I fear that I am seeing a growing presence of this in our culture. Those who recognize this danger should speak out against it.

“Alexis de Tocqueville warned that democracy could fall not to revolution, but to “soft despotism,” where equalized citizens become passive, self-absorbed, and isolated, leading them to surrender their freedoms to an all-encompassing, protective state. He feared that the desire for equality would lead to a tyranny of the majority and a decline in civic engagement.

Key aspects of Tocqueville’s warnings regarding the decline of democracy include:

Soft Despotism: Tocqueville predicted a new form of servitude where a centralized, paternalistic government replaces the need for individual initiative. This government would be “mild,” covering society with “petty, complicated rules” that degrade people without tormenting them.

Tyranny of the Majority: A major concern was the stifling of minority opinions and individual liberty by an unchecked majority, which could lead to social conformity and the erosion of freedom.

Individualism and Apathy: As citizens focus on material gain and personal comfort, they may withdraw from political life, leaving a vacuum for the state to fill, resulting in a loss of self-government.

Industrial Aristocracy: Tocqueville warned that while society becomes more egalitarian, the industrial class could become increasingly aristocratic, creating massive inequalities in wealth and power that contradict democratic ideals.

The Role of Civil Society: To combat these threats, Tocqueville advocated for robust civic associations and local participation, believing that active engagement is the best defense against centralization and the decay of democratic spirit.

Ultimately, Tocqueville argued that the fate of a democracy is not predetermined but depends on its citizens’ choices to prioritize either freedom or servitude.”

[IMA-GregT]

@acros1952 All that you wrote is completely valid.

Those last two paragraphs struck me as terribly important. “active engagement is the best defense.”

Putting your head above the parapet is hectic. I’m doing it just in the management of our local community at the AGM, and folks are not happy with me. But I’m actually reading the by-laws and the law and the power is with the ‘community of owners’ in these laws, but they all like sheep think the President has these powers. So shifting the thinking in an AGM is akin to presenting the truth and being perceived as a heretic. But it needs to be done.

And working with the IMA, well, there is joy in this active engagement too.

[Bob Crosby]

I agree entirely. Very few individuals possess the ability and capacity to challenge established paradigms. It requires a unique individual, and the associated benefits are often not immediately recognized.

[IMA-GregT]

@acros1952 👍 Yup, you’re right. Is it like pushing against a piece of string, and eventually you’ve scrunched it up completely, and then you push past that and the string starts unravelling again, in a new more positive direction, on the other side of the scrunch? 🙂

[Sarah Penn]

Very well stated! I’m an NP who found herself in politics because of the tyranny during COVID. I’ll say that one of my biggest struggles is getting people to engage. We are definitely witnessing a lack of individual involvement, and therefore self-governance, as easy times have allowed many to pursue self-interests, material gains and comfort. This is how we may lose our country.

[Bob Crosby]

It must have been very difficult to work within the medical industry during that period. Looks like you used that to motivate yourself to fight against it, which is commendable!

I agree, complacency will have detrimental consequences for our nation if left unchecked

[IMA-GregT]

@wy307 👍 It’s that mass formation thing. So easy to slip into, and folks can only come out of it one by one. But we have to be there to shine the light, when there’s that unexpected moment that they ask a question which means they’re starting to think a little more clearly again.

[Gary Graziano]

And this surprises you why? They don’t call it the NY Slimes for nothing.