The New State · Chapter
XX: The Growth of Democracy in America explained
This chapter traces the historical development of democracy in America, arguing that true democracy is synonymous with the growth of true individualism, as opposed to the false individualism of laissez-faire and particularism.
What happens
This chapter traces the historical development of democracy in America, arguing that true democracy is synonymous with the growth of true individualism, as opposed to the false individualism of laissez-faire and particularism. It critiques the social contract theory, the influence of Bentham, Spencer, and the Manchester school, and contrasts them with the emerging theory of the state as the fulfillment of the individual, influenced by T. H. Green, Kant, and Hegel. The chapter examines how American institutions were founded on a false political philosophy that feared the individual, leading to particularism, monopolies, and corruption. It concludes by identifying four contemporary evidences of a true appreciation of the individual: the movement towards industrial democracy, the woman movement, the increase of direct government, and the introduction of social programs into party platforms.
Themes in this chapter
Critique of Individualism and Particularism
The chapter extensively critiques the false individualism of laissez-faire economics, social contract theory, and the 'individual rights' doctrine, arguing that these led to particularism, monopolies, and the crushing of true individuals.
Transformation of Law and Justice Through Group Principles
The chapter criticizes the legal system for interpreting constitutions based on an antiquated philosophy and false psychology, and calls for a new understanding of justice that recognizes the individual's place in society.
Education for Social Citizenship and Group Life
Implicitly present in the call for a 'living democracy of a united, responsible people' and the need to substitute fictitious democracy with a true understanding of the individual's social role.
Characters to notice
- Narrator
The narrator presents a historical analysis of democracy and individualism, critiquing false political philosophies and advocating for a true understanding of the individual's place in society.
- We the People
Referenced as the collective body that was not trusted by the framers of the Constitution, and as the 'united, responsible people' that should form the basis of a living democracy.
- T. H. Green
Cited as a key influence in developing a new theory of the state as the fulfillment of the individual, influencing political thought in England and America.
- Kant
Mentioned as an influence on T. H. Green's political theory.
- Hegel
Mentioned as an influence on T. H. Green's political theory, and later as a source of fear for those who saw Hegelianism as overriding the individual.
- Herbert Spencer
Critiqued for his book 'The Man Versus the State' and his interpretation of biological knowledge, which entrenched the false doctrine of individual rights.
Key passages
“The two problems of democracy today are: (1) how to make the individual politically effective, and (2) how to give practical force to social policies.”
Democracy's main challenges are empowering the individual in politics and implementing social policies effectively.
The narrator frames the core issues of modern democracy.
“The social contract theory was based on the idea of the state as an aggregate of units; it therefore followed that the rights of those units must be maintained.”
The social contract theory wrongly viewed the state as a collection of separate individuals, leading to an emphasis on individual rights.
The narrator critiques the foundational assumption of social contract theory.
“The state was now not to be subordinate to the individual, but it was to be the fulfilment of the individual.”
The new theory of the state saw it as the means by which individuals achieve their full potential, not as a threat to them.
The narrator contrasts the old and new theories of the state.
“To substitute for the fictitious democracy of equal rights and 'consent of the governed,' the living democracy of a united, responsible people is the task of the twentieth century.”
The goal of the twentieth century is to replace the false democracy of abstract rights with a real democracy of a cohesive and accountable citizenry.
The narrator defines the central task for modern democracy.
“The result of our false individualism has been non-conservation of our national resources, exploitation of labor, and political corruption.”
False individualism has led to resource depletion, labor exploitation, and political corruption.
The narrator lists the negative consequences of the flawed individualist philosophy.
