Alexis de TocquevilleAlexis de Tocqueville(1805-1859)(1805-1859)

Democracy in AmericaDemocracy in America

18351835

Alexis de TocquevilleAlexis de TocquevilleBorn in Paris July 29, 1805Born in Paris July 29, 1805Father was a royalist from Normandy, who Father was a royalist from Normandy, who

supported the Bourbon Monarchy supported the Bourbon Monarchy Great Grandfather was a liberal aristocrat Great Grandfather was a liberal aristocrat

killed in the French Revolutionkilled in the French RevolutionAt age 16 began college to study At age 16 began college to study

philosophy philosophy Began to have an uncertainty about the Began to have an uncertainty about the

French Govt. French Govt.

Alexis de TocquevilleAlexis de Tocqueville Finished College at age 18, then moved to Paris Finished College at age 18, then moved to Paris

to study law.to study law. Came to America to “study” prison reform, but Came to America to “study” prison reform, but

really came to gain knowledge of American really came to gain knowledge of American political development political development

Later visited England to study the British system Later visited England to study the British system of Govt.of Govt.

Published 1Published 1stst part of Democracy in America part of Democracy in America 1835, it was well accepted through Europe1835, it was well accepted through Europe

Married Mary Motley, an Englishwoman, in 1835Married Mary Motley, an Englishwoman, in 1835

Alexis de TocquevilleAlexis de TocquevilleSecond part of Democracy was published Second part of Democracy was published

5 years later, and was not as accepted as 5 years later, and was not as accepted as his first , criticizing France. It was highly his first , criticizing France. It was highly praised in Englandpraised in England

Became Left-Winged, then New Left Became Left-Winged, then New Left Winged Winged

Rejected the idea of political agitation that Rejected the idea of political agitation that the Left Wing rallied support forthe Left Wing rallied support for

Predicted The French RevolutionPredicted The French Revolution

Democracy in AmericaDemocracy in AmericaExplains how the majority controls the Explains how the majority controls the

political spectrum in the USA bypolitical spectrum in the USA byMajority electing members of the legislature Majority electing members of the legislature

“immediately, and for a very brief term, in “immediately, and for a very brief term, in order to subject them”order to subject them”

Majority also elects the President who tries to Majority also elects the President who tries to please the majority to get re-electedplease the majority to get re-elected

Democracy in AmericaDemocracy in America Tocqueville believes that if a Tocqueville believes that if a

legislative power that represents legislative power that represents the majority exist, but does not the majority exist, but does not follow the majority, this power will follow the majority, this power will retain a degree of uncontrolled retain a degree of uncontrolled authority, and would still be free authority, and would still be free and democratic, without becoming and democratic, without becoming a tyranny. a tyranny.

Democracy in AmericaDemocracy in AmericaSays that America is not really a land of Says that America is not really a land of

free speechfree speech““within these barriers an author may write within these barriers an author may write

whatever he pleases, but he will repent it if he ever whatever he pleases, but he will repent it if he ever step beyond them.” step beyond them.”

““Before he published his opinions, he imagined Before he published his opinions, he imagined that he held them in common with many others; that he held them in common with many others; but no sooner has he declared them openly, than but no sooner has he declared them openly, than he is loudly censured by his overbearing he is loudly censured by his overbearing opponents, whilst those who think, without having opponents, whilst those who think, without having the courage to speak, like him, abandon him in the courage to speak, like him, abandon him in silence.”silence.”

Democracy in AmericaDemocracy in America Believes that Lawyers are like nobles in Believes that Lawyers are like nobles in

America, because “the wealthy, the noble, and America, because “the wealthy, the noble, and the prince are excluded from the government, the prince are excluded from the government, they are sure to occupy the stations in their own they are sure to occupy the stations in their own right,”…”since they are the only men of right,”…”since they are the only men of information and sagacity, beyond the sphere of information and sagacity, beyond the sphere of the people, who can be the object of the popular the people, who can be the object of the popular choice”choice”

Believes that lawyers in America form the Believes that lawyers in America form the highest political classes, and will remain highest political classes, and will remain conservative.conservative.

Democracy in AmericaDemocracy in AmericaBelieves that Americans are not as Believes that Americans are not as

passionate for political gain, rather passionate for political gain, rather commercial gainscommercial gains

That the rich ( or when poor become rich) That the rich ( or when poor become rich) rather abide by the law, because with rather abide by the law, because with order comes prosperity.order comes prosperity.

Democracy in AmericaDemocracy in AmericaQuestionsQuestions

What is the tyranny of the majority and What is the tyranny of the majority and how does it operate?how does it operate?

How can this tyranny be prevented?How can this tyranny be prevented?

Was the United States a real democracy in Was the United States a real democracy in the 1830’s?the 1830’s?