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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. De Tocqueville observed that Americans like to explain everything as a result of human what?

2. The right of political association originally came from where?

3. What is one of the branches of government?

4. What type of people are educated and serve to bring reason to debates through logic?

5. About what does de Tocqueville believe aristocrats are busy writing?

Short Essay Questions

1. De Tocqueville believes that political parties are what to democratic societies?

2. What is one of the drawbacks to de Tocqueville's view of the American approach to literature and poetry?

3. What are some of the suggestions that equality makes to the beliefs of the American people?

4. Before the American Revolution, what were the two great political parties in the United States and what were their aims?

5. What does de Tocqueville believe is the logic that is followed when people adopt the authority of the majority?

6. Why, according to de Tocqueville, does the American writer write?

7. On what single principle does democracy, as a political system, rely?

8. According to de Tocqueville, although the democratic writer might have less to write about, what is the level of importance of what he writes about?

9. The communities of New England set the foundation of a democratic society based on what?

10. What, according to the author, are some of the downsides of democracy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is de Tocqueville's definition of a lawyer? How does a lawyer work to help secure a democracy, in de Tocqueville's view? Does the same definition and purpose apply to lawyers today? Why or why not? Cite examples from the book and present day to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

According to de Tocqueville, power is divided between the federal government and the states. What aspects of American democracy has de Tocqueville shown where this is true? What are some instances that he has shown where this is not true? What effects does this division have on democracy in America? Support your answers with examples from the book.

Essay Topic 3

Why is de Tocqueville writing this book, and for whom is he writing the book? Of what is he trying to convince his audience? Support your answer with examples from the book.

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This section contains 609 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample