Part of: Democracy in America: Historical-Critical Edition, 4 vols. (LF ed. 2010) Democracy in America: Historical-Critical Edition, vol. 1
- Alexis de Tocqueville (author)
- James T. Schleifer (translator)
- Eduardo Nolla (editor)
A new 4 volume edition of Tocqueville’s classic text De la Démocratie en Amérique. The original was published in two large volumes, the first in 1835, the second in 1840. The first volume focused primarily on political society; the second, on civil society. The online version of Liberty Fund’s edition contains only the English translation of the French critical edition. Vol. 1 contains Part I.
Related People
Key Quotes
The State
What most strikes the European who travels across the United States is the absence of what among us we call government or administration. In America, you see written laws; you see their daily execution; everything is in motion around you, and the motor is nowhere to be seen. The hand that runs the…
Politics & Liberty
I have shown that equality suggested to men the thought of a unique, uniform and strong government. I have just shown that it gives them the taste for it; so today nations are tending toward a government of this type. The natural inclination of their mind and heart leads them to it, and it is…
Critical Responses
Journal Article
Liberty, Equality, and DemocracyEduardo Nolla
This title dives into Tocqueville’s political philosophy and social theories.
Book
Democracy and Its Friendly Critics: Tocqueville and Political Life TodayPeter Augstine Lawler, editor
As the title suggests, this compilation of essays examines Tocqueville and the political life of contemporary America.
Connected Readings
AdamSmithWorks Essay
Smith, Tocqueville, and Foucault on the Temptation of Enlightened DespotismEric Schilesser
Book
Tocqueville’s Voyages: The Evolution of His Ideas and Their Journey Beyond His TimeChristine Dunn Henderson