Wine 1
Jared Wine
Dr. Rita Kumar
Intermediate Composition 2089
16 September 2014
Rhetorical Analysis: Ideal Democracy by Carl Becker
Nelson Mandela once said, “I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free
society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.”
(Quoted Edwards) Many historical figures and famous leaders have their own vision of
an “ideal democracy.” American historian, Carl Becker, endows this vision of a perfect
self-governed society in his speech, “Ideal Democracy,” which is the first portion of a
three Page-Barbour lecture he delivered at the University of Virginia in 1940. Later it
became a book titled “Modern Democracy” (1941). At this point in time, World War II
was in effect and many Americans were losing hope in democracy and what the United
States stood for. In this discourse of an ideal democracy, Becker wants to inform the
students about the nature of democracy and give them hope for the future.
Furthermore, in Becker’s “Ideal Democracy” speech, he gives relevant examples
of past leadership systems and early forms of government to establish a comparison
between an ideal and a real democracy. Thus, Becker gives an appropriate definition for
democracy, similar to Abraham Lincolns quote, which he mentions, “Government of the
people, by the people, for the people” (Becker 148). However, Becker notes that his
definition of democracy is contradictory to modern society, but believes there are
circumstances that need to be practiced in order for a democracy to survive and grow in a
Wine 2
country. Throughout the lecture, Becker skillfully and successfully uses rhetorical
methods to illuminate his vision of an ideal democracy to a collegiate audience while
emphasizing the importance of democracy and its necessities to flourish in society.
Carl Becker was a progressive historian, a history professor at Cornell University
and wrote a variety of works in history, predominantly American and European history.
Generally, Becker was known for his unique writing style toward objective history.
“Carl Becker defines a critical junction in historical writing. His writing is remembered
for its lucidity, force, and grace, his interpretations were well argued and stunning in their
originality.” (Britannica) Accordingly, in the speech “Ideal Democracy,” Becker uses
formal and technical language, but reiterates a lot of the content by reducing it to simpler
terms. This form of diction is essential because it constructs declarative sentences and
presents an easier interpretation of the subject, therefore creating a positive effect on the
audience.
Correspondingly, Becker brilliantly uses the method of definitions in order to
develop his vision and ideas on ideal democracy. For example, Becker first mentions that
the word democracy has no precise denotation, “it is a word which connotes different
things to different people, a kind of conceptual Gladstone bag which, with a little
manipulation, can be made to accommodate almost any collection of social facts we may
wish to carry about in it” (Becker 148). Fittingly, Becker makes the statement that the
empire of Napoleon, the Soviet regime of Stalin, and the autocratic systems of Mussolini
and Hitler are practically all forms of democratic governments. This leads Becker to
make defining distinctions between ideal forms and real forms of democracy. These
references in history and defining methods support Becker’s speech by giving it a logical
Wine 3
appeal that is relevant to his collegiate audience. Therefore Becker’s speech is influential
towards the audiences’ beliefs on democracy. Consequently, using logos helps meet the
needs of the discourse community such as the Americans during World War II.
Additionally, Becker begins his speech by making another relevant topic to his
audience, in which he discusses the connection between democracy and Thomas
Jefferson, who is the founder of the University of Virginia. Here is Becker’s final note to
his introduction:
I feel sure, therefore, that here in this famous center of learning, you will not think
it inappropriate for me to say something relevant if that be at all possible, about
democracy, a subject so close to Jefferson’s heart and so insistently present in all
our minds today (Becker 147).
Becker opens his speech by revealing how passionate he is toward the meaning of
democracy, which gives a sense of pathos to the audience and a level of importance to
Becker’s speech. Plus, throughout the speech, Becker consistently generalizes ideas for
the audience to contemplate. He does this discreetly by asking rhetorical questions to the
audience, such as “What conditions are necessary for a democratic form of government to
flourish?” (Becker 149). Therefore, adding pathos to “Ideal democracy” creates a
stronger connection with the audience.
Most importantly, another rhetorical method Becker uses in “Ideal Democracy” is
comparison. “In Aristotle’s philosophy the distinction between good and bad in politics is
not between good and bad types of government, but between the good and bad form of
each type.” (Becker 154). Becker starts to use a lot of references from political people
Wine 4
and civilizations from the past as a guide to help piece together the answer to the
question, what is an ideal democracy? Here, Becker has constructed a sense of ethos,
which not only was created by his use of diction, and sentence structure but also by what
he knows. This knowledge is used when Becker gives a numerous amount of examples to
the audience in order to convey the success democracy has had in countries. Becker
reviews historical evidence regarding the existence and success of democracy over
different times in history. “It is obvious that, taking the experience of mankind as a test,
democracy has as yet had but a limited and temporary success. There must be a reason
for this significant fact. The reason is that democratic government is a species of social
luxury” (Becker 151). Using diction, Becker reiterates this by using an example in which
claims that democracy was a major factor in developing possible rich countries.
Therefore, Becker adds that unsuccessful economies generate weakened democracies.
Relating this conception, Becker declares that he believes there are circumstances and
virtues that citizens need to practice in order for a democracy to survive and grow in a
country. Thus, through examples of ancient Greece and France, Becker acknowledges an
ethical appeal to his audience to present the fundamentals for an ideal democracy.
In conclusion, Becker ends his lecture by introducing two different testimonies to
support his vision of an ideal democracy. Becker’s “Ideal Democracy” encouraged an
exclusive view on American democracy in a very profound manner. In addition, Becker’s
ideal democracy incorporates specific principles and practices for citizens but it is distinct
to what is described as democracy in society today. Considering the speech was given
during World War II, Becker and the discourse community were living in difficult and
uncomfortable times; therefore “Ideal Democracy” gives an optimistic outlook on the
Wine 5
present circumstances. With rhetorical appeals, Becker is able to establish his authority,
and credibility of the speech to the audience. As one of the most notorious historians of
American History, Carl Becker did a superb job at integrating a good choice of rhetorical
methods to a formal speech. Thus, Becker also makes “Ideal Democracy” an effective
speech by using the correct diction for the discourse community and rhetorical appeals to
positively influence the audience.
Wine 6
Works Cited
Carl L. Becker,"The Ideal" and "Afterthought on Constitutions" from Modern
Democracy and from Yale Review.
XXVII,+55.1941.
Edwards, Jim. "See Nelson Mandela's 'I Am Prepared To Die' Speech, Which Put Him In
Prison For 27 Years." Business Insider. Business Insider, Inc, 05 Dec. 2013. Web.
The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. "Carl Becker (American
Historian)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica,
n.d. Web.
Wine 7
Reflection Questions:
1. How would you explain what rhetoric is?
Using language as an art to have a purposeful effect on the audience.
2. Why is it important to know about rhetoric and how what you learned about
rhetoric can you use in your writing?
It is important to know about rhetoric because it will help you understand different types
of genres in writing and understand why the structure of a document is the way it is.
Also, you can learn how to use certain rhetoric techniques such as ethos, pathos, and
logos in your own writing as well.
3. What is a discourse community?
A discourse community is a group of people who share the same ideas and beliefs with
each other, communicating an ultimate goal.
4. Why is it important to know about discourse communities and how can you use
what you know about discourse communities in your writing?
It is important to learn about discourse communities because they each have their own
language. Therefore, if you learn the language you can effectively communicate with
them and use that understanding in your writing.