In class the relationship between Christianity and democracy was raised. Specifically one of our classmates quoted Tocqueville as saying that democracy could not exist without Christianinty. I find this a very interesting statement to make indeed. For starters I do not think that Tocqueville's statement should be limited merely to Christianity. I imagine that he meant that democracy needed some form of ideology to go with it ( and I believe constrain it was his implication). I believe that Tocqueville just naturally assumed that Christianity was the best partner for democracy. I doubt he seriously considered any of the other religions or ideologies of the world as being able to fulfill this same purpose, although I believe they could. At this point I feel it is only fair to mention that I have never read Tocqueville (nor I am I sure how to spell his name) nor do I have anything to go off of on this point other than what was said in class. However this focus on Christianity versus other religions seems to miss the main point in my opinion. I do not see why democracy must come with a companion ideology. Can we not be trusted to run our own affairs without interference? Must there be something there to hold us back? I do not think so. I think it is a poor judgement on the character of humanity to say that we can not run our affairs democratically without some external boundaries being set. It as if humanity is a bunch of children who must be told what they can and can not do so they dont hurt themselves. Personally I find such a reading of the nature of mankind somewhat disturbing. I like to think that I do know what is good for me and do not need others to tell me such. Thus, by expanding such thinking it follows that humanity in general should be able to determine its own boundaries and not have them externally dictated. But, on the other hand, perhaps I am being too optimistic. I am reminded of an axiom that I have heard before that says a person is smart, but people are stupid. Perhaps a balance can be struck and I can say that democracy does not need a constraining ideology, but that it usually works better with one. Yes, I think that might work.