We succeed in enterprises which demand the positive qualities we possess, but we excel in those which can also make use of our defects.
Alexis de Tocqueville

     In the middle of the 19^th century a famous French political thinker, historian and sociologist by the name of Alexis de Tocqueville visited and wrote extensively about America. As he witnessed the foibles of market revolution, and western expansions during the experiments of the Jacksonian democracy, [1]it helped shaped his thinking of the young country. On the matter of the much prosecuted Indians he said, “The Indian knew how to live without wants, to suffer without complaint, and to die singing.” On the slaves and equality, “Americans are so enamored of equality that they would rather be equal in slavery than unequal in freedom.” It was on the subject of war that he was the most astute. He said “There are two things which will always be very difficult for a democratic nation: to start a war and to end it.” He also said that “All those who seek to destroy the liberties of a democratic nation ought to know that war is the surest and shortest means to accomplish it.”[2] He also said that “No protracted war can fail to endanger the freedom of a democratic country.” I could almost sense the paradox that faced the social scientist. He clearly admired the fighting, pioneering spirit of Americans especially as they strived to live up to the principles of democracy as they saw it.

      The prominent political figure of the period was President Andrew Jackson. He was a veteran of the American Revolution, a national hero, and former prisoner of war. He never shied away from any form of war. [3] So this was one of America’s few military leaders that eventually became President after Washington. We shall now fast forward to present day America.   Care to try and figure out how this eminent sociologist would look at the country? Few of today’s thinkers really care. Let us try together. Would it say that the US is a more democratic nation? I believe so. Has the race issue being resolved? What race problem? We are a nation of immigrants that some consider a ‘melting pot.’ I prefer ‘toss salad.’ Most immigrants are prepared to buy into the noble dream of possible wealth, prosperity and power through hard work. Just look at the California governor.       

       What about it’s quest to spread that democratic practice aboard? It has done a pretty commendable job and has sacrificed many of its vibrant men and women in the cause. There just might still be some work to be done however. Has it lead much in the post Cold- war world has it squandered some opportunities? It depends on who is asked the question. The country is now bogged down into two costly wars that some of its leaders and citizens are debating the merits and are concerned if its interest is being fully served. They are lamenting the facts that the war might well be a protracted war that have caused fatigue among and have stretched the mettle and moral of troops and in the process doing more to harm its democratic image abroad. A study by The Lancet   showed 601,000 excess deaths from violence in Iraq. [4]As for the US its somewhere in the region of 4000 according to some records.[5]

    Alexis de Tocqueville said that protracted wars have caused “much harm and lost of human lives and goodwill.”   He also said that the “two things democratic people will always find difficult – to begin a war and to end it.” Yes some will say, but that was a long time ago. We have not had a war on our nation like that since the Boston invasion. Very well, we’ll include Pearl Harbor. What was meant was mainland America. This enemy is global and can obtain all types of dangerous technologically advance weapons that it can unleash indiscriminately and destroy many. These weapons can be obtained from a few rouge states that might not have a real fondness for this democratic way of life that we adhere to. Again the question will be asked, but what is the logic? Why would a country risk the anger and strong retaliation of a superpower together with a united world to enable such a thing? That clearly is not in their interest correct? Do others share this type of thinking, and are there friends that share this concern, fear and enemy. They certainly do, and we are all threatened. The words of Tocqueville again came to mind, “In politics shared hatreds are almost always the basis of friendships.”

   The part to democracy from all appearances can be a very tricky proposition one can see. Yes if the evidence must be considered, much work is yet to be done both at home and abroad.