15. Which feature of the U.S. system of government did de Tocqueville believe might cause conflict in society?
Answer: A
The majority is able to achieve special rights.
De Tocqueville believed that the majority could potentially misuse its power to impose its will on the minority, leading to societal conflict. He pointed out that if a majority can assert dominance, it might seek exclusive rights that could marginalize minority interests.
A) The majority is able to achieve special rights.
This option accurately reflects de Tocqueville's concern about the potential for the majority to misuse its power, as indicated in Excerpt 1. He highlights that the majority's opinions and interests can directly oppose those of the minority, suggesting that the majority can seek special privileges at the expense of others.
B) The minority is able to block popular legislation.
While the minority does have the ability to resist or challenge popular legislation, this does not align with de Tocqueville's primary concern. His focus was more on the potential tyranny of the majority rather than the blocking power of the minority, making this option incorrect.
C) Legislators must represent minority interests.
Although representing minority interests is an essential aspect of a democratic system, de Tocqueville's emphasis was on the dangers posed by the majority's power. He did not assert that this representation would always be effective or that it would prevent conflict, thus making this option incorrect.
D) Legislators sometimes act against majority rule.
This option suggests a scenario where legislators disregard the majority, which does not capture de Tocqueville's argument. Instead, he was warning about the dominance of the majority rather than legislators acting against it, therefore this option is also incorrect.
Conclusion
De Tocqueville's analysis underscores the potential for conflict arising from a majority's ability to assert dominance and claim special rights, as articulated in his first excerpt. He cautions that such dynamics can lead to the oppression of minority groups, making Option A the most accurate reflection of his concerns regarding societal conflict in the U.S. system of government. Other options fail to encapsulate this critical aspect of his argument.