Democracy & Freedom: A Comprehensive Analysis in the Light of the Theories of Robert Putnam, Fareed Zakaria, and Alexis De Tocqueville
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Author: Qamar Abbas, Master’s degree student, Basic Department of Institute of China and Contemporary Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs, HSE University
Introduction
Democracy and freedom are the core values of modern states, which provide citizens with opportunities for political participation, expression, and self-determination. However, the nature, scope, and practical application of these two concepts have not always been clear. Different thinkers have shed light on their definition, importance, and interrelationship in different ways. In this essay, we will examine the interrelationship of democracy and freedom considering the theories of three important thinkers—Robert Putnam, Fareed Zakaria, and Alexis De Tocqueville—and try to understand to what extent these two concepts can support or contradict each other.
Source: AI generated
Alexis De Tocqueville: An Analytical Study of Democracy
Alexis De Tocqueville, a French thinker, and political analyst conducted an in-depth study of American democracy in his famous book Democracy in America. Tocqueville viewed democracy positive[1]ly based on popular equality, civic participation, and social cohesion, but he also warned of the potential dangers of democracy.
According to Tocqueville, individual freedom in a democracy can be threatened by the tyranny of the majority, where the majority opinion begins to suppress the freedoms of the minority. He also argues that although democracy gives individuals political power, it is possible for people to increase their dependence on the state and move away from personal responsibility. According to Tocqueville, free associations, civic institutions, and local governments can help balance this dependence.
He also made it clear that although equality in a democratic system seems compatible with the principle of freedom, sometimes this equality can also limit freedom, especially when governments increase their powers in the name of social order. In Tocqueville's theory, the protection of freedom is not possible only through constitutional structures, but also through active civic participation and a sense of social responsibility.
Robert Putnam: Social Capital and Democratic Quality
Robert Putnam is an American political scientist who, through writings such as Bowling Alone and Making Democracy Work, has offered profound insights into the performance of democracy and social capital. According to Putnam, democracy depends not only on the name of the constitutional system but also on the existence of trust, cooperation, and networks among citizens. For him, social capital—the relationships, institutions, and trust that bind citizens together—is essential for the effective implementation of democracy.
Putnam concluded from a comparison of Italian cities that where civic associations were active and social ties were strong, democratic institutions were operating effectively and transparently. Whereas where social ties were weak, democratic structures also weakened. This argument is important not only for the practical implementation of democracy but also for freedom, because if a society is prone to individualism and isolation, the defense of civil liberties is weakened.
Putnam also worries about the role of social media in today's world, which seemingly creates connections but is weakening real social capital. If citizens do not trust each other, not only is democracy weakened, but the very concept of freedom itself becomes a mere formality[2].
Fareed Zakaria: Liberalism vs. Democracy
Fareed Zakaria, a prominent US-Indian intellectual, has highlighted an important distinction between democracy and freedom. In his book The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad, Zakaria uses the term illiberal democracy, which refers to the extent to which democratically elected governments can curtail civil liberties. According to Zakaria, not every democracy is necessarily free. Some governments hold elections, but do not respect the rule of law, judicial independence, freedom of expression, and minority rights[3]. He believes that liberal values—such as constitutional limits, protection of civil liberties, and the independence of the judiciary—can preserve freedom even without democracy.
Zakaria raises the question of whether granting the right to vote alone guarantees freedom. He believes that if governments restrict expression or control the media in the name of a public mandate, they are unfree states, even though they are democratic. Zakaria's perspective leads us to think that to reconcile democracy with freedom, it is necessary to give centrality to liberal values, free institutions, and human rights. Otherwise, democracy can also degenerate into an authoritarian system.
Comparative Analysis
The views of these three thinkers suggest that the relationship between democracy and freedom is not simple and straightforward, but rather complex and interconnected. Tocqueville emphasized the need for local institutions and social organizations to protect freedom, Putnam called social capital the soul of democratic practice, while Zakaria highlighted the potential for authoritarianism within democracy.
These three perspectives teach us that simply implementing an electoral process is not the full implementation of democracy. Along with it, elements such as an independent judiciary, a vibrant civil society, an educated citizenry, and constitutional boundaries are also necessary. Otherwise, democracy can become an instrument of coercion rather than ensuring freedom.
In today's world, we need to understand these concepts not only in a political context but also in a social, cultural, and technological context. When democracy is limited to representation and civic consciousness is weakened, freedom becomes a mere legal clause.
Conclusion
The relationship between democracy and freedom is diverse and complex on philosophical, social, and practical levels. The ideas of Tocqueville, Putnam, and Zakaria help us understand that freedom cannot be guaranteed by democratic elections alone, but also by strong institutions, social cohesion, and liberal values. If democracy is to be a guarantee of freedom, we must go beyond its formal structure and understand its spirit.
A stable and free society requires a balanced approach to democracy and freedom, where citizens not only have the right to vote but also the freedom to speak out, assemble, and express dissent. This is the democracy that truly fosters freedom.
References:
- Tocqueville, Alexis De. Democracy in America. Translated by Harvey C. Mansfield and Delba Winthrop. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000.
- Putnam, Robert D. Making Democracy Work: Civic Traditions in Modern Italy. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1993.
- Putnam, Robert D. Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2000.
- Zakaria, Fareed. The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2003.
- Diamond, Larry. The Spirit of Democracy: The Struggle to Build Free Societies Throughout the World. New York: Times Books, 2008.
- Sen, Amartya. Development as Freedom. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999.
[1] Tocqueville, Alexis De. Democracy in America. Translated by Harvey C. Mansfield and Delba Winthrop. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000.
[2] Putnam, Robert D. Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2000.
[3] Zakaria, Fareed. The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2003.
