Write an essay in which you draw a contrast between James Madison and Alexis de Tocqueville
with regard to: a) their respective understandings or definitions of and b) their institutional
remedies for the problem of despotism.
To be clear, for Madison, despotism refers to the political problem to which all governments are
vulnerable; you must define that problem. Also, in your detailed discussion of Madisons
remedies, be sure to explain how the cause of this political problem is central to its solution.
And, with regard to your discussion of Tocquevilles understanding of this political problem, be
sure to explain the circumstances in Europe that he contends were responsible for the problem.
