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

America in Class Lessons

Thoreau’s Critique of Democracy in “Civil Disobedience”

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

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

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 /