Among the great works of political writing of the nineteenth century, Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville is renowned for its richness, length, and daring conjectures. The book is a study of the evolution of democracy in America. It is a critical text that is largely read by political and social science students. The book is also a study of the nature of American society.
The book was a result of Tocqueville’s travels across the United States in 1831. He came to realize that America offered the most advanced example of equality in action. He believed that democracy could be a powerful tool for spreading the passion for equality. Tocqueville argued that the best general government plan for free people was one that encourages the cultivation of practical minds. He had a great deal of respect for the United States. He believed that Americans were honorable in all callings. He believed that American suffrage granted to most white men over the age of twenty was a major accomplishment. He also admired the United States for its independence and its individualism.
Tocqueville saw American civil society as being very diverse, but believed that civil associations were essential to achieving democracy. He pondered whether or not the civil associations in the new American republic would be sufficient to maintain and strengthen the democracy.
Democracy in America is a classic that has been translated into many languages. It is considered a must-read for students of political and social sciences. The book is known for its long length, elegant prose, and daring conjectures. It is considered to be one of the greatest books of the 19th century and is widely quoted. It was also one of the first books to portray the American experience in a comprehensive manner.
Alexis de Tocqueville was born in Paris in 1805 and was raised in a privileged family. He was a judge-auditor at the Versailles tribunal when he was twenty-one. In 1831, he traveled to the United States, where he studied the prisons and the prison system. He became interested in comparing the United States to the democratic regimes of France. The Reform Act of 1832 dramatically expanded the franchise. He had also been studying methods of local, state, and national administration.
Tocqueville believed that democracy in America would encourage people to think about the power of leaders and to be suspicious of ‘natural’ power. He also believed that frequent elections would create instability in the public sphere. In order to maintain a stable society, he believed that the government should be careful to avoid assimilation. He also thought that faith in public opinion could become a ‘type of religion’. He feared that the majority would turn into a ministering prophet.
Democracy in America is a book that contains the first articulation of the Tocqueville effect. The Tocqueville effect is the idea that when social conditions improve, frustrations increase. Tocqueville thought that the increasing frustrations would create the need for a ministering prophet.