Thoreau’s Critique of Democracy in “Civil Disobedience” | National Humanities Center

America in Class Lessons

Thoreau’s Critique of Democracy in “Civil Disobedience”

Author: Schramm, Richard R. (NHC Vice President for Education Programs, 1984–2016)

Advisor: Capper, Charles (NHC Fellow, 1994–95; 2002–03)

In “Civil Disobedience” Thoreau not only calls for resistance to immoral and unjust government actions, he also criticizes the foundations of representative democracy — majority rule, voting, and representation.

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Subjects

Philosophy / History / Literary Criticism / Democracy / Voting Rights / Civil Disobedience / Government / Individualism /