A brief summary of the second great awakening political signs on a. That the existence of such a liberty has thus far not damaged america is due to americans longstanding familiarity with the principle, and the way in which it has actually come to work against the. Democracy in america 18351840 is arguably the most perceptive and influential book ever written about american politics and society. Democratic communities have a natural taste for freedom.
Over a period of nine months the two traveled all over america making notes not only on the prison systems but on all aspects of american society and. Tocqueville notes that the law of partition is causing increasing impacts in france, toobut old traditions and recollections of the past linger far more in france than in the united states. Coming from europe, tocqueville was fascinated by americas relatively free and egalitarian society. The author may have mistaken his own notes for a verbatim quotation, a common. Its title translates as on democracy in america, but english translations are usually simply entitled democracy in america. One of the best written and most influential books about the united states, tocquevilles democracy in america has been translated only twice previously in 160 years. He is best known for his works democracy in america appearing in two volumes, 1835 and 1840 and the old regime and the revolution 1856. Tocqueville considers the liberty of the press as absolutely necessary in a democracy, but unlimited liberty of association is more dangerous, since it threatens the functioning of the government. Democracy in america vol 1 part 1 chapter 8 summary. Tocquevilles main point in this section is that political freedom requires sacrifices, whereas the pleasures of equal.
Tocquevilles main point in this section is that political freedom requires sacrifices, whereas. Tocqueville, democracy in america, note on the translation. Democracy in america school of english and american. His ninemonth visit and subsequent reading and reflection resulted in this landmark masterpiece of political. Tocquevilles book is an outsiders view of american government, and the author makes some uncanny criticisms. Pdf democracy in america download full pdf book download. It remains the most often quoted book about the united states, not only because. Democracy in america and two essays on america by alexis. Democracy in america chapter summaries course hero. In the introduction to his translation of the book, harvard professor harvey c. First, democracy in america is a long and dense book. North america divided into two vast regions, one inclining towards the pole, the other towards the equator. In 1835 tocqueville published his first volume which cast a positive light on how a modern democracy should operate. Find summaries for every chapter, including a democracy in america chapter summary chart.
Having seen the failed attempts at a democratic government in his native france, tocqueville set out to study a stable and prosperous democracy in order to gain insight into how it work. The great exception, of course, is the name of the book itself, democracy in america, a title simply too familiar in english to be altered. As is often found in democracy in america, the framework of this chapter features a contrast between aristocracy and d. Dec 05, 2019 the book quoted the last two lines of the passage as coming from democracy in america but supplied no documentation. Morgan in the eleven years that separated the declaration of the independence of the united states from the completion of that act in the ordination of our written constitution, the great. On the omnipotence of the majority in the united states and its effects despite his admiration for american equality of political and social conditions and his general approval of democratic government, tocqueville harbors serious concerns about the danger of what he calls the tyranny of the majority. A new translation by arthur goldhammer library of america. His 9month go to and subsequent studying and reflection resulted in democracy in america 1835forty, a landmark masterpiece of political remark and evaluation.
His book provides enduring insight into the political consequences of widespread property ownership, the potential dangers to liberty inherent in majority. Tocquevilles democratic curiosity about democracy permeates his great book, which was published in two volumes, in 1835 and 1840. This enduring classic explores the civil institutions and. Division of powers between federal sovereignty and that. In the book, tocqueville examines the democratic revolution. In america, tocqueville notes that rather than being sheltered and shielded from reality, a young woman is allowed to become familiar with the vices and dangers of. The author documents his travels through america and contrasts his experiences with established aristocratic systems in western europe. Although franceand europe in generalhave long been home to aristocratic monarchies where a king and queen rule but an aristocratic class also retains power and privileges based on birth, equality of condition a leveling out. If youre having any problems, or would like to give some feedback, wed love to hear from you. There is a wide gap between peoples interest in tocquevillewhich is very greatand what they have read of tocquevillewhich is not very much. Mansfield calls it at once the best book ever written on democracy and the best book ever written on america. The book he wrote on his return to france, democracy in america, is both the best ever written on democracy and the best ever written on america. Having seen the failed attempts at a democratic government in his native france, tocqueville set out to study a stable and prosperous democracy in order to gain insight into how it worked. Although franceand europe in generalhave long been home to aristocratic monarchies where a king and queen rule but an aristocratic class also retains power and privileges based on birth, equality of condition a leveling out of social class hierarchies is increasingly.
Neither of the earlier translations has the fluidity, accuracy, and elegance of this completely new translation, based on the recent critical french editions of the text. Democracy in america summary from litcharts the creators. Inheritance laws were, in france and elsewhere, crucial means of transmitting wealth and maintaining an aristocracy over time. Eduardo nolla, translated from the french by james t. Mar 15, 2017 there is a wide gap between peoples interest in tocquevillewhich is very greatand what they have read of tocquevillewhich is not very much. This chapter is one of the most essential parts of the book for understanding tocqueville s views on the nature of liberty and how to preserve it.
An overview of the book democracy in america thoughtco. About democracy in america and two essays on america. Openeyed, restless, theoretical but also pragmatic, interested. For general help, questions, and suggestions, try our dedicated support forums. In the book, tocqueville examines the democratic revolution that he believed had been occurring over the previous several hundred years. In democracy in america, tocqueville vividly describes the unprecedented social equality he found in america and explores its implications for european society in the emerging modern era. Volumes i and ii come in at about 305,000 words, which shakes out to be about 900 to 1,000. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. Democracy in america starts out with an admiration for the democratic system of america in 1831.
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