What ideas of natural rights and classical republicanism support voluntary associations?
• What relationship, if any, do you see between the First Amendment rights of assembly and petition and the ability of Americans to address public problems? Alexis de Tocqueville was a firm believer in the powers of democracy. Although he died more than 150 years ago, his theories and philosophies are still very popular today. In 1831 Tocqueville first came to America in order to research American democracy. He hoped that he could bring what he learned back to France and help re-establish a stable government, after the obvious failure of the aristocracy there. Unlike in Europe where the people let the government settle all problems, he found that Americans preferred to handle them first hand without the help of the government. Through voluntary associations, citizens come together in order to get their voices heard and ensure safety. For example, groups such as the minutemen were responsible for the safety of entire towns. Each town had its own militia. Because of the perseverance of a
