History Rhymes: Tocqueville’s Wisdom for Today’s Politics

The Tocqueville Insight: Why the New Federalist Movement Must Reject MAGA Populism

Another day, another Croaky article bemoaning populism. Now this isn't a critique of populism in general, but more about a populism with no actual goals and just slogans which I've covered before. Unfortunately this is an issue that has to be constantly discussed as we as New Federalist move towards a more influential and substantive conservative culture. The catalyst for this article is that over the last couple of weeks, I’ve noticed some interesting growth in our New Federalist movement. With this growth has come attacks and criticism which are expected. You’d think a movement focused on conservatism and promoting state and local authority would mostly be challenged by radical liberals. But instead, the biggest pushback has come from self-identifying conservatives in the MAGA movement. They’re irritated by our growing group because we promote ideals that contrast sharply with theirs, despite the MAGA movement's facade of conservatism. Given my love of history and my commitment to first principles, I’ve been rereading Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville, and it’s clear that history doesn’t repeat, but it does rhyme.

Alexis de Tocqueville, a keen French observer of early American democracy, wrote Democracy in America with a remarkable ability to predict the future. His insights into the strengths and weaknesses of democracy are still relevant today. As a Burkean conservative, I find Tocqueville's observations particularly relevant in today’s political climate, especially when looking at the rise and influence of the MAGA movement.

The Tyranny of the Majority: The MAGA Mob’s Greatest Hits

Tocqueville’s biggest worry was the "tyranny of the majority." In a democracy, the majority can become oppressive, drowning out minority opinions and individual freedoms. Tocqueville feared the majority’s interests might overshadow individual rights, leading to a form of democratic despotism. If you supported any candidate other than Trump in the recent Republican primaries, this might sound familiar.

Enter the MAGA movement, the perfect example of Tocqueville’s fear. Driven by populist fervor, it prioritizes the will of its base over broader democratic principles. The rallies, the rhetoric, the policies—they all scream majority rule with no room for dissent. It's not that the MAGA concerns are invalid; it’s that the mob mentality prefers loud, catchy slogans over nuanced discussion. And Tocqueville? He’s probably spinning in his grave.

Individualism and Its Perils: “America First” or “America Alone”?

Tocqueville also explored the idea of individualism, noting its double-edged nature. On one hand, individualism promotes independence and self-reliance; on the other, it can lead to social fragmentation and a retreat from public life. He was worried that too much individualism would weaken the civic bonds necessary for a functioning democracy.