View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. In America, young men are given freedom when they reach what age?

2. In America, citizens have a right to what kind of associations?

3. What is an immediate danger to democracy?

4. "A priori" means what?

5. Repetitive tasks give workers an inability to change what?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does de Tocqueville define comfort?

2. What is the major difference between the classic aristocrat and the new aristocrat in America according to de Tocqueville?

3. According to de Tocqueville, what political instinct have the American people developed that will counter their natural tendency towards equality?

4. How is the division of labor in the industries in the United States divided?

5. How do the citizens of America see their equality when it comes to work collectively, according to de Tocqueville's observations?

6. According to de Tocqueville, how do political associations combat individualism and egoism?

7. What normally causes a great social revolution?

8. What two concepts, though linked, should not be confounded?

9. Why will democratic governments tend to centralize as they grow?

10. What is one reason that democracies do not value equality and liberty equally?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

De Tocqueville believes that nations today (in his time) will be unable to stop the conditions of man from becoming equal. What support does he provide for this statement? Do the ideas presented in his book support his statement? Why or why not? Use the book to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Using examples from the book, what is tyranny, and how does democracy fight it?

Essay Topic 3

Using examples from the book, where does authority originate from in America as opposed to in an aristocratic regimen? How does this influence the structure and behavior of a democracy as compared to an aristocracy?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 529 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample