Jessica Sanford ’17
Project Title – American Democracy Upheld by Religion: Connecting Durkheim to Tocqueville
Mentor – Susan Gunasti
While many democratic experiments have failed, and other democratic societies have decayed, American society has remained robust and resilient with true democratic qualities. Americans have enjoyed unprecedented levels of freedom and opportunity, which can be greatly attributed to a high degree of social unity and integration. This social unity, the shared pursuit of the “common good,” derives greatly from the American religious experience. The uniting factors—the morals, values, and ideals—that work to unite members of American society are learned from religion. Such factors transcend the religious context into the personal and public sphere of influence, shaping the common good that Americans collectively pursue, without realizing the process behind their profound connection to America, to the flag and national anthem, and to those who share the American identity.
Religion in America transcends the religious sphere and instills a deep sense of moral commitment and collective responsibility that upholds the common good. Tocqueville and Durkheim’s ideas come together to support this notion, as they both see religion as foundational for society’s success. Religion is society’s source of stability; it is the reason why democracy in America has remained strong and resilient, and it explains how modern societies have formed. Religion teaches individuals morally sound and socially acceptable behaviors by instilling a common moral code, a sense of responsibility, and a loyalty to their society that they must obey; rejecting society’s values means rejecting their own, seeing that one’s commitment to society is as strong as their commitment to sound values, morals, and ideals. By sharing this commitment, religion instills the need to uphold and defend the common good, uniting individuals through the existence of their own worldviews. Religion is what Durkheim calls social glue, what Tocqueville calls democracy’s savior, and what both would call America’s key to success.