This paper will present Tocqueville’s idea of true liberty and his concept of a feasible democratic republic, which is, according to Tocqueville, indispensable for all nations. It will also treat the probable difficulties of a nation which Tocqueville feared when it came to dealing with true (political) liberty. Moreover, the paper will explain his suggestions how to address problems that could be caused by confronting people with the democratic republic and its accompanying liberty.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Alexis de Tocqueville's life and the New World
- Democracy in America
- On the road to success
- Content and structure
- The Democratic Revolution
- Tocqueville's theory of democracy
- The dangers of the progress of equality
- Liberty and equality
- Liberty - a good at risk
- Suggestions on protecting liberty
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines Alexis de Tocqueville's observations and analysis of American democracy in his seminal work, Democracy in America. It explores the reasons behind Tocqueville's journey to the United States, his perspectives on the functioning of American democracy, and his concerns regarding the potential dangers of the progress of equality. The paper also delves into Tocqueville's concept of true liberty, the ideal democratic republic, and his suggestions for mitigating potential challenges faced by nations striving for a stable democracy.
- Tocqueville's life and the influence of his post-revolutionary background on his views
- The evolution of American democracy and its implications for the world
- The relationship between liberty and equality in a democratic society
- The dangers of the progress of equality and potential threats to liberty
- Tocqueville's vision of the ideal democratic republic and its relevance today
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction delves into Tocqueville's influential statement on the inexorable progress of equality and its implications for democracy. It highlights the significance of Democracy in America as a foundational analysis of American society and its democratic principles.
Chapter 2 provides a biographical overview of Alexis de Tocqueville, focusing on his post-revolutionary background and the experiences that shaped his views on liberty and democracy. It explores the context surrounding his journey to the United States and the impact of his travels on his perspectives on American society.
Chapter 3 explores Tocqueville's Democracy in America, examining the content and structure of the work. It explores the main themes addressed by Tocqueville, including the Democratic Revolution, his theory of democracy, and his analysis of the potential dangers of the progress of equality.
Chapter 4 focuses on Tocqueville's views on liberty and equality, addressing the risks to liberty posed by the progression of equality. It examines Tocqueville's suggestions for safeguarding liberty in a democratic society.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This paper focuses on key concepts such as: Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America, American democracy, liberty, equality, democratic republic, post-revolutionary Europe, the progress of equality, and the potential dangers of democracy. It explores Tocqueville's insights into the relationship between liberty and equality, the challenges faced by nations striving for democracy, and his suggestions for navigating these challenges. The paper also touches upon the significance of comparative analysis and the role of historical context in understanding contemporary political and social issues.
- Quote paper
- Susanne Dollwetzel (Author), 2009, Alexis de Tocqueville's views of America - 'Democracy in America', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/131762
