The Tyranny of the Majority

The National Broadcasting Company in conjunction with the Fund for Adult Education presents Democracy in America by Alexis de Torqueville. In an age of equality, faith in public opinion becomes a kind of religion, and the majority is its ministering profit.

Opinion is more than ever mistress of the world. There is here a matter for profound reflection to those who look on freedom of thought as a holy thing, and who hate not only the tyrant, but tyranny itself. For myself, when I feel the hand of power lie heavy on my brow, I care but little to know who oppresses me, and

I am not the more disposed to pass beneath the yoke because it is held out to me by a million men." The Tyranny of the Majority A study in American Freedom. Item 9 in the series Democracy in America, prepared by the Division of General Education of New York University under the direction of George Prost, American Historian.

A series designed to bring to life the America of the 1830s as recorded by Alexis de Tocqueville, and so to illuminate the image of democracy itself. A study in American freedom, the tyranny of the majority.

My friend, Bumont, and I visited America in 1831. We watched many things together. We saw for ourselves the principles of democracy and equality. And everywhere we went, we were welcomed. Now gentlemen, you've been over here how long?

With several months. Alright, how do you like America? Boomo, really talk to you. Speak frankly gentlemen, this is a young country, we're just getting started. We want to know what visitors think of us. We don't see many foreigners here, you know, of the 13 million people in America, only 400,000 foreigners. Only about 25,000 a year come over and this is a big country.