The Decline of Trust and Civic Engagement Since Alexis de Tocqueville\u27s Democracy in America

Since 1776 when the United States broke away from British colonial rule, Americans have considered themselves to be a profoundly free and equal people. When Alexis de Tocqueville toured the young nation in the 1830\u27s he argued that a profusion of voluntary associations, egalitarian values, and a substantial and vibrant religious presence combined to make this fledgling country and unusually civic and participatory democracy. Despite our beginnings as a nation of joiners, Americans\u27 engagement in political activity has fallen steadily. Voter turnout has been declining since the 1960\u27s and polling data reflects a trend of distrust in government. As a result, political elites began to consider whether such trends would have long-term effects on the health of the nation. Following the events of September 11, 2001, polls reflect a revival of trust in government. Similarly, a revival in civic engagement seems to have resulted from 9-11. Could such change be a revival of the democratic citizenship Alexis de Tocqueville observed and that subsequently inspired his Democracy in America? This thesis will consider whether declines actually constitute a crisis, consider the possible causes of decline, and analyze our present day milieu using Tocqueville\u27s understanding of democratic citizenship to determine whether a revival of trust and civic engagement is essential to the preservation of the blessings of self-government