The History Book Club discussion

The book that will be the December 2016 and January 2017 Book of the Month is Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville.

by Alexis de Tocqueville

Synopsis:

Alexis de Tocqueville (1805-59) came to America in 1831 to see what a great republic was like. What struck him most was the country's equality of conditions, its democracy. 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. It remains the most often quoted book about the United States, not only because it has something to interest and please everyone, but also because it has something to teach everyone. When it was published in 2000, Harvey Mansfield and Delba Winthrop's new translation of Democracy in America—only the third since the original two-volume work was published in 1835 and 1840—was lauded in all quarters as the finest and most definitive edition of Tocqueville's classic thus far. Mansfield and Winthrop have restored the nuances of Tocqueville's language, with the expressed goal "to convey Tocqueville's thought as he held it rather than to restate it in comparable terms of today." The result is a translation with minimal interpretation, but with impeccable annotations of unfamiliar references and a masterful introduction placing the work and its author in the broader contexts of political philosophy and statesmanship.

About the Author



Alexis-Charles-Henri Clérel de Tocqueville (French: [alɛksi ʃaʁl ɑ̃ʁi kleʁɛl də tɔkvil]; 29 July 1805 – 16 April 1859) was a French political thinker and historian best known for his works Democracy in America (appearing in two volumes: 1835 and 1840) and The Old Regime and the Revolution (1856). In both of these, he analyzed the improved living standards and social conditions of individuals, as well as their relationship to the market and state in Western societies. Democracy in America was published after Tocqueville's travels in the United States, and is today considered an early work of sociology and political science.

Tocqueville was active in French politics, first under the July Monarchy (1830–48) and then during the Second Republic (1849–51) which succeeded the February 1848 Revolution. He retired from political life after Louis Napoléon Bonaparte's 2 December 1851 coup, and thereafter began work on The Old Regime and the Revolution.

He argued that the importance of the French Revolution was to continue the process of modernizing and centralizing the French state which had begun under King Louis XIV. The failure of the Revolution came from the inexperience of the deputies who were too wedded to abstract Enlightenment ideals. Tocqueville was a classical liberal who advocated parliamentary government, but was skeptical of the extremes of democracy.
(Source: Wikipedia)

Praise and Reviews:

"The editors have written more than a mere introduction; they have written in fact a small book, a remarkably comprehensive and yet succinct study of Tocqueville's political thought. . . . Mansfield and Winthrop have made a remarkably comprehensive and tightly argued case for Tocqueville as the greatest political theorist of democracy, a theorist who is just as relevant today as he was in the nineteenth century."
(Gordon S. Wood New York Review of Books)

"It would be difficult to think of a greater service to the study of Tocqueville than the one performed by Mansfield and Winthrop in their impeccable new edition and translation of Democracy in America. . . . The publisher is justified in claiming that this version will henceforth be seen as the 'authoritative' edition in English."
(Choice)

"The Mansfield-Winthrop work will henceforth be the preferred English version of Democracy in America not only because of the superior translation and critical apparatus, but also because of its long and masterly introductory essay, itself an important contribution to the literature on Tocqueville."
(Roger Kimball The New Criterion)

"If Tocqueville is an indispensable guide to understanding the American experience, Harvey C. Mansfield and Delba Winthrop are indispensable guides to Tocqueville himself. In the introduction to their fresh and limpid translation of Democracy in America—what will surely be the definitive translation for some time to come—they offer a helpful summary of Tocqueville's philosophical and political thought."
(Thomas Pavel Wall Street Journal)

"Democracy in America will continue to be read with profit as long as the United States survives as a republic and, indeed, as long as democracy endures. It deserves faithful translators, careful expositors and insightful commentators. In Mansfield and Winthrop it has found them."
(Robert P. George Times Literary Supplement)

"[A] major new translation. . . . Tocqueville's insights confirm his brilliance and remind us that many features of national character are virtually indestructible."
(Robert J. Samuelson Newsweek)

"This will be the English translation of Tocqueville for a long time, and it has the additional bonus that the introduction is as succinct an introduction to Tocqueville, or at least to the conservative view of him and his achievement, as one can find."
(Adam Gopnik The New Yorker)

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Version information utilized in this discussion:

Democracy in America
by Alexis de Tocqueville, translated by Harvey C. Mansfield and Delba Winthrop

University of Chicago Press, 2000
Cloth: 978-0-226-80532-0 | Paper: 978-0-226-80536-8 | Electronic: 978-0-226-92456-4

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Editors' Introduction xvii
Suggested Readings lxxxvii
A Note on the Translation xci

Volume One

Introduction 3

Part One
1. External Configuration of North America 19

2. On the Point of Departure and Its Importance for the Future of the Anglo-Americans 27
Reasons for Some Singularities That the Laws and Customs of the Anglo-Americans Present 44

3. Social State of the Anglo-Americans 45
The Salient Point of the Social State of the Anglo-Americans Is Its Being Essentially Democratic 46
Political Consequences of the Social State of the Anglo-Americans 52

4. On the Principle of the Sovereignty of the People in America 53

5. Necessity of Studying What Takes Place in the Particular States before Speaking of the Government of the Union 56
On the Township System in America 57
Size of Township 58
Powers of the Township in New England 58
On Township Existence 61
On the Spirit of the Township in New England 63
On the Country in New England 65
On Administration in New England 66
General Ideas about Administration in the United States 75
On the State 79
Legislative Power of the State 80
On the Executive Power of the State 81
On the Political Effects of Administrative Decentralization in the United States 82

6. On Judicial Power in the United States and Its Action on Political Society 93
Other Powers Granted to American Judges 98

7. On Political Judgment in the United States 100

8. On the Federal Constitution 105
History of the Federal Constitution 105
Summary Picture of the Federal Constitution 107
Prerogatives of the Federal Government 108
Federal Powers 110
Legislative Powers 110
Another Difference between the Senate and the House of Representatives 113
On the Executive Power 113
How the Position of the President of the United States Differs from That of a Constitutional King in France 115
Accidental Causes That Can Increase the Influence of the Executive Power 118
Why the President of the United States Does Not Need to Have a Majority in the Houses in Order to Direct Affairs 119
On the Election of the President 120
Mode of Election 124
Crisis of Election 126
On the Reelection of the President 128
On the Federal Courts 130
Manner of Settling the Competence of the Federal Courts 133
Different Cases of Jurisdiction 135
Manner of Proceeding of Federal Courts 139
Elevated Rank Held by the Supreme Court among the Great Powers of the State 141
How the Federal Constitution Is Superior to the Constitutions of the States 143
What Distinguishes the Federal Constitution of the United States of America from All Other Federal Constitutions 146
On the Advantages of the Federal System Generally, and Its Special Utility for America 149
What Keeps the Federal System from Being within Reach of All Peoples, and What Has Permited the Anglo-Americans to Adopt It 154

Part Two
1. How One Can Say Strictly That in the United States the People Govern 165

2. On Parties in the United States 166
On the Remains of the Aristocratic Party in the United States 170

3. On Freedom of the Press in the United States 172

4. On Political Association in the United States 180

5. On the Government of Democracy in America 187
On Universal Suffrage 187
On the Choices of the People and the Instincts of American Democracy in Its Choices 187
On the Causes That Can in Part Correct These Instincts of Democracy 190
Influence That American Democracy Exerts on Electoral Laws 192
On Public Officials under the Empire of American Democracy 194
On the Arbitrariness of Magistrates under the Empire of American Democracy 196
Administrative Instability in the United States 198
On Public Costs under the Empire of American Democracy 199
On the Instincts of American Democracy in Fixing the Salaries of Officials 203
Difficulty of Discerning the Causes That Incline the American Government to Economy 205
Can the Public Expenditures of the United States Be Compared to Those of France? 206
On the Corruption and Vices of Those Who Govern in Democracy; On the Effects on Public Morality that Result 210
Of What Efforts Democracy Is Capable 212
On the Power That American Democracy Generally Exercises over Itself 215
The Manner in Which American Democracy Conducts External Affairs of State 217

6. What Are the Real Advantages That American Society Derives from the Government of Democracy 220
On the General Tendency of the Laws under the Empire of American Democracy, and on the Instinct of Those Who Apply Them 221
On Public Spirit in the United States 225
On the Idea of Rights in the United States 227
On Respect for the Law in the United States 229
Activity Reigning in All Parts of the Body Politic of the United States; Influence That It Exerts on Society 231

7. On the Omnipotence of the Majority in the United States and Its Effects 235
How the Omnipotence of the Majority in America Increases the Legislative and Administrative Instability That Is Natural to Democracies 238
Tyranny of the Majority 239
Effects of the Omnipotence of the Majority on the Arbitrariness of American Officials 242
On the Power That the Majority in America Exercises over Thought 243
Effects of the Tyranny of the Majority on the National Character of the Americans; On the Spirit of a Court in the United States
That the Greatest Danger of the American Republics Comes from the Omnipotence of the Majority 246
That the Greatest Danger of the American Public Comes from the Omnipotence of the Majority 248

8. On What Tempers the Tyranny of the Majority in the United States 250
Absence of Administrative Centralization 250
On the Spirit of the Lawyer in the United States and How It Serves as a Counterweight to Democracy 251
On the Jury in the United States Considered as a Political Institution 258

9. On the Principal Causes Tending to Maintain a Democratic Republic in the United States 264
On the Accidental or Providential Causes Contributing to the Maintenance of a Democratic Republic in the United States 265
On the Influence of Laws on the Maintenance of a Democratic Republic in United States 274
On the Influence of Mores on the Maintenance of a Democratic Republic in United States 274
On Religion Considered as a Political Institution; How It Serves Powerfully the Maintenance of a Democratic Republic among the Americans 275
Indirect Influence That Religious Beliefs Exert on Political Society in the United States 278
On the Principal Causes That Make Religion Powerful in America 282
How the Enlightenment, the Habits, and the Practical Experience of the Americans Contribute to the Success of Democratic Institutions 288
That the laws Serve to Maintain a Democratic Republic in the United States More than Physical Causes, and Mores More than Laws 292
Would Laws and Mores Suffice to Maintain Democratic Institutions Elsewhere than in America? 296
Importance of What Precedes in Relation to Europe 298

10. Some Considerations on the Present State and the Probable Future of the Three Races That Inhabit the Territory of the United States 302
Present State and Probable Future of the Three Races That Inhabit the Territory Possessed by the Union 307
Position That the Black Race Occupies in the United States; Dangers Incuurred by Whites from Its Presence 326
What are the Chances That the American Unions Will Last? What Dangers Threaten It? 348
On Republican Institutions in the United States; What Are Their Chances of Longevity? 379
Some Considerations on the Causes of the Commercial Greatness of the United States 384

Conclusion 391

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Volume Two

Notice 399

Part One: Influence of Democracy on Intellectual Movement in the United States

1. On the Philosophic Method of the Americans 403

2. On the Principal Source of Beliefs among Democratic Peoples 407

3. Why the Americans Show More Aptitude and Taste for General Ideas than Their English Fathers 411

4. Why the Americans Have Never Been as Passionate as the French for General Ideas in Political Matters 415

5. How, in the United States, Religion Knows How to Make Use of Democratic Instincts 417

6. On the Progress of Catholicism in the United States 424

7. What Makes the Mind of Democratic Peoples Lean toward Pantheism 425

8. How Equality Suggests to the Americans the Idea of the Indefinite Perfectibility of Man 426

9. How the Example of the Americans Does Not Prove That a Democratic People Can Have No Aptitude and Taste for the Sciences, Literature, and the Arts 428

10. Why the Americans Apply Themselves to the Practice of the Sciences Rather than to the Theory 433

11. In What Spirit the Americans Cultivate the Arts 439

12. Why the Americans at the Same Time Raise Such Little and Such Great Monuments 443

13. The Literary Face of Democratic Centuries 445

14. On the Literary Industry 450

15. Why the Study of Greek and Latin Literature Is Particularly Useful in Democratic Societies 450

16. How American Democracy has Modified the English Language 452

17. On Some Sources of Poetry in Democratic Nations 458

18. Why American Writers and Orators Are Often Bombastic 463

19. Some Observations on the Theater of Democratic Peoples 465

20. On Some Tendencies Particular to Historians in Democratic Centuries 469

21. On Parliamentary Eloquence in the United States 472

Part Two: Influence of Democracy on the Sentiments of the Americans

1. Why Democratic Peoples Show a More Ardent and More Lasting Love for Equality than for Freedom 479

2. On Individualism in Democratic Countries 482

3. How Individualism is Greater at the End of a Democratic Resolution than in Any Other Period 484

4. How the Americans Combat Individualism with Free Institutions 485

5. On the Use That the Americans Make of Association in Civil Life 489

6. On the Relation between Associations and Newspapers 493

7. Relations between Civil Associations and Political Associations 496

8. How the Americans Combat Individualism by the Doctrine of Self-Interest Well Understood 500

9. How the Americans Apply the Doctrine of Self-Interest Well Understood in the Matter of Religion 504

10. On the Taste for Material Well-Being in America 506

11. On the Particular Effects That the Love of Material Enjoyments Produces in Democratic Centuries 508

12. Why Certain Americans Display Such an Exalted Spiritualism 510

13. Why the Americans Show Themselves So Restive in the Midst of Their Well-Being 511

14. How the Taste for Material Enjoyments among Americans is United with Love of Freedom and with Care for Public Affairs 514

15. How Religious Beliefs at Times Turn the Souls of the Americans toward Immaterial Enjoyments 517

16. How the Excessive Love of Well-Being Can Be Harmful to Well-Being 521

17. How in Times of Equality and Doubt It Is Important to Move Back the Object of Human Actions 522

18. Why among the Americans All Honest Professions Are Reputed Honorable 525

19. What Makes almost All Americans Incline toward Industrial Professions 526

20. How Aristocracy Could Issue from Industry 530

Part Three: Influence of Democracy on Mores Properly So-Called

1. How Mores Become Milder as Conditions are Equalized 535

2. How Democracy Renders the Habitual Relations of the Americans Simpler and Easier 539

3. Why the Americans Have So Little Oversensitivity in Their Country and Show Themselves to Be So Oversensitive in Ours 541

4. Consequences of the Preceding Three Chapters 544

5.How Democracy Modifies the Relations of Servant and Master 546

6. How Democratic Institutions and Mores Tend to Raise the Price and Shorten the Duration of Leases 553

7. Influence of Democracy on Wages 555

8. Influence of Democracy on the Family 558

9. Education of Girls in the United States 563

10. How the Girl is Found beneath the Features of the Wife 565

11. How Equality of Conditions Contributes to Maintaining Good Mores in America 567

12. How the Americans Understand the Equality of Man and Woman 573

13. How Equality Naturally Divides the Americans into a Multitude of Particular Little Societies 577

14. Some Reflections on American Manners 578

15. On the Gravity of the Americans and Why It Does Not Prevent Their Often Doing Ill-Considered Things 582

16. Why the National Vanity of the Americans Is More Restive and More Quarrelsome than That of the English 585

17. How the Aspect of Society in the United States Is at Once Agitated and Monotonous 587

18. On Honor in the United States and in Democratic Societies 589

19. Why One Finds So Many Ambitious Men in the United States and So Few Great Ambitions 599

20. On the Industry in Place-Hunting in Certain Democratic Nations 604

21. Why Great Revolutions Will Become Rare 606

22. Why Democratic Peoples Naturally Desire Peace and Democratic Armies Naturally [Desire] War617

23. Which Is the Most Warlike and the Most Revolutionary Class in Democratic Armies 623

24. What Mates Democratic Armies Weaker than Other Armies When Entering into a Campaign and More Formidable When War Is Prolonged 626

25. On Discipline in Democratic Armies 629

26. Some Considerations on War in Democratic Societies 631

Part Four: On the Influence that Democratic Ideas and Sentiments Exert on Political Society

1. Equality Naturally Gives Men the Taste for Free Institutions 639

2. That the Ideas of Democratic Peoples in the Matter of Government Are Naturally Favorable to the Concentration of Powers 640

3. That the Sentiments of Democratic Peoples Are in Accord with Their Ideas to Bring Them to Concentrate Power 643

4. On Some Particular and Accidental Causes That Serve to Bring a Democratic People to Centralize Power or Turn It Away from That 646

5. That among European Nations of Our Day Sovereign Power Increases Although Sovereigns are less Stable 651

6. What Kind of Despotism Democratic Nations Have to Fear 661

7. Continuation of the Preceding Chapters 666

8. General View of the Subject 673

Notes 677
Sources Cited by Tocqueville 705
Index 711

FOR THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE A SUGGESTED WEEKLY SYLLABUS

DECEMBER - VOLUME ONE

DECEMBER 1ST THROUGH DECEMBER 4TH
Introduction 3
1. External Configuration of North America 19
2. On the Point of Departure and Its Importance for the Future of the Anglo-Americans 27
Reasons for Some Singularities That the Laws and Customs of the Anglo-Americans Present 44

DECEMBER 5TH THROUGH DECEMBER 11TH
3. Social State of the Anglo-Americans 45
The Salient Point of the Social State of the Anglo-Americans Is Its Being Essentially Democratic 46
Political Consequences of the Social State of the Anglo-Americans 52
4. On the Principle of the Sovereignty of the People in America 53
5. Necessity of Studying What Takes Place in the Particular States before Speaking of the Government of the Union 56
On the Township System in America 57
Size of Township 58
Powers of the Township in New England 58
On Township Existence 61
On the Spirit of the Township in New England 63
On the Country in New England 65
On Administration in New England 66
General Ideas about Administration in the United States 75
On the State 79
Legislative Power of the State 80
On the Executive Power of the State 81
On the Political Effects of Administrative Decentralization in the United States 82
6. On Judicial Power in the United States and Its Action on Political Society 93
Other Powers Granted to American Judges 98
7. On Political Judgment in the United States 100
8. On the Federal Constitution 105
History of the Federal Constitution 105
Summary Picture of the Federal Constitution 107
Prerogatives of the Federal Government 108
Federal Powers 110
Legislative Powers 110
Another Difference between the Senate and the House of Representatives 113
On the Executive Power 113
How the Position of the President of the United States Differs from That of a Constitutional King in France 115
Accidental Causes That Can Increase the Influence of the Executive Power 118
Why the President of the United States Does Not Need to Have a Majority in the Houses in Order to Direct Affairs 119
On the Election of the President 120
Mode of Election 124
Crisis of Election 126
On the Reelection of the President 128
On the Federal Courts 130

DECEMBER 12TH THROUGH DECEMBER 19TH
Manner of Settling the Competence of the Federal Courts 133
Different Cases of Jurisdiction 135
Manner of Proceeding of Federal Courts 139
Elevated Rank Held by the Supreme Court among the Great Powers of the State 141
How the Federal Constitution Is Superior to the Constitutions of the States 143
What Distinguishes the Federal Constitution of the United States of America from All Other Federal Constitutions 146
On the Advantages of the Federal System Generally, and Its Special Utility for America 149
What Keeps the Federal System from Being within Reach of All Peoples, and What Has Permited the Anglo-Americans to Adopt It 154
1. How One Can Say Strictly That in the United States the People Govern 165
2. On Parties in the United States 166
On the Remains of the Aristocratic Party in the United States 170
3. On Freedom of the Press in the United States 172
4. On Political Association in the United States 180
5. On the Government of Democracy in America 187
On Universal Suffrage 187
On the Choices of the People and the Instincts of American Democracy in Its Choices 187
On the Causes That Can in Part Correct These Instincts of Democracy 190
Influence That American Democracy Exerts on Electoral Laws 192
On Public Officials under the Empire of American Democracy 194
On the Arbitrariness of Magistrates under the Empire of American Democracy 196
Administrative Instability in the United States 198
On Public Costs under the Empire of American Democracy 199
On the Instincts of American Democracy in Fixing the Salaries of Officials 203
Difficulty of Discerning the Causes That Incline the American Government to Economy 205
Can the Public Expenditures of the United States Be Compared to Those of France? 206
On the Corruption and Vices of Those Who Govern in Democracy; On the Effects on Public Morality that Result 210
Of What Efforts Democracy Is Capable 212
On the Power That American Democracy Generally Exercises over Itself 215
The Manner in Which American Democracy Conducts External Affairs of State 217
6. What Are the Real Advantages That American Society Derives from the Government of Democracy 220
On the General Tendency of the Laws under the Empire of American Democracy, and on the Instinct of Those Who Apply Them 221


DECEMBER 20TH THROUGH DECEMBER 25TH
On Public Spirit in the United States 225
On the Idea of Rights in the United States 227
On Respect for the Law in the United States 229
Activity Reigning in All Parts of the Body Politic of the United States; Influence That It Exerts on Society 231
7. On the Omnipotence of the Majority in the United States and Its Effects 235
How the Omnipotence of the Majority in America Increases the Legislative and Administrative Instability That Is Natural to Democracies 238
Tyranny of the Majority 239
Effects of the Omnipotence of the Majority on the Arbitrariness of American Officials 242
On the Power That the Majority in America Exercises over Thought 243
Effects of the Tyranny of the Majority on the National Character of the Americans; On the Spirit of a Court in the United States
That the Greatest Danger of the American Republics Comes from the Omnipotence of the Majority 246
That the Greatest Danger of the American Public Comes from the Omnipotence of the Majority 248
8. On What Tempers the Tyranny of the Majority in the United States 250
Absence of Administrative Centralization 250
On the Spirit of the Lawyer in the United States and How It Serves as a Counterweight to Democracy 251
On the Jury in the United States Considered as a Political Institution 258
9. On the Principal Causes Tending to Maintain a Democratic Republic in the United States 264
On the Accidental or Providential Causes Contributing to the Maintenance of a Democratic Republic in the United States 265
On the Influence of Laws on the Maintenance of a Democratic Republic in United States 274
On the Influence of Mores on the Maintenance of a Democratic Republic in United States 274
On Religion Considered as a Political Institution; How It Serves Powerfully the Maintenance of a Democratic Republic among the Americans 275
Indirect Influence That Religious Beliefs Exert on Political Society in the United States 278
On the Principal Causes That Make Religion Powerful in America 282
How the Enlightenment, the Habits, and the Practical Experience of the Americans Contribute to the Success of Democratic Institutions 288
That the laws Serve to Maintain a Democratic Republic in the United States More than Physical Causes, and Mores More than Laws 292
Would Laws and Mores Suffice to Maintain Democratic Institutions Elsewhere than in America? 296
Importance of What Precedes in Relation to Europe 298
10. Some Considerations on the Present State and the Probable Future of the Three Races That Inhabit the Territory of the United States 302


DECEMBER 26TH THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST
Present State and Probable Future of the Three Races That Inhabit the Territory Possessed by the Union 307
Position That the Black Race Occupies in the United States; Dangers Incurred by Whites from Its Presence 326
What are the Chances That the American Unions Will Last? What Dangers Threaten It? 348
On Republican Institutions in the United States; What Are Their Chances of Longevity? 379
Some Considerations on the Causes of the Commercial Greatness of the United States 384
Conclusion 391

FOR THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE A SUGGESTED WEEKLY SYLLABUS

JANUARY - VOLUME TWO

JANUARY 1ST THROUGH JANUARY 8TH
Notice 399
1. On the Philosophic Method of the Americans 403
2. On the Principal Source of Beliefs among Democratic Peoples 407
3. Why the Americans Show More Aptitude and Taste for General Ideas than Their English Fathers 411
4. Why the Americans Have Never Been as Passionate as the French for General Ideas in Political Matters 415
5. How, in the United States, Religion Knows How to Make Use of Democratic Instincts 417
6. On the Progress of Catholicism in the United States 424
7. What Makes the Mind of Democratic Peoples Lean toward Pantheism 425
8. How Equality Suggests to the Americans the Idea of the Indefinite Perfectibility of Man 426
9. How the Example of the Americans Does Not Prove That a Democratic People Can Have No Aptitude and Taste for the Sciences, Literature, and the Arts 428
10. Why the Americans Apply Themselves to the Practice of the Sciences Rather than to the Theory 433
11. In What Spirit the Americans Cultivate the Arts 439
12. Why the Americans at the Same Time Raise Such Little and Such Great Monuments 443
13. The Literary Face of Democratic Centuries 445
14. On the Literary Industry 450
15. Why the Study of Greek and Latin Literature Is Particularly Useful in Democratic Societies 450
16. How American Democracy has Modified the English Language 452
17. On Some Sources of Poetry in Democratic Nations 458
18. Why American Writers and Orators Are Often Bombastic 463
19. Some Observations on the Theater of Democratic Peoples 465
20. On Some Tendencies Particular to Historians in Democratic Centuries 469
21. On Parliamentary Eloquence in the United States 472

JANUARY 9TH THROUGH JANUARY 15TH
1. Why Democratic Peoples Show a More Ardent and More Lasting Love for Equality than for Freedom 479
2. On Individualism in Democratic Countries 482
3. How Individualism is Greater at the End of a Democratic Resolution than in Any Other Period 484
4. How the Americans Combat Individualism with Free Institutions 485
5. On the Use That the Americans Make of Association in Civil Life 489
6. On the Relation between Associations and Newspapers 493
7. Relations between Civil Associations and Political Associations 496
8. How the Americans Combat Individualism by the Doctrine of Self-Interest Well Understood 500
9. How the Americans Apply the Doctrine of Self-Interest Well Understood in the Matter of Religion 504
10. On the Taste for Material Well-Being in America 506
11. On the Particular Effects That the Love of Material Enjoyments Produces in Democratic Centuries 508
12. Why Certain Americans Display Such an Exalted Spiritualism 510
13. Why the Americans Show Themselves So Restive in the Midst of Their Well-Being 511
14. How the Taste for Material Enjoyments among Americans is United with Love of Freedom and with Care for Public Affairs 514
15. How Religious Beliefs at Times Turn the Souls of the Americans toward Immaterial Enjoyments 517
16. How the Excessive Love of Well-Being Can Be Harmful to Well-Being 521
17. How in Times of Equality and Doubt It Is Important to Move Back the Object of Human Actions 522
18. Why among the Americans All Honest Professions Are Reputed Honorable 525
19. What Makes almost All Americans Incline toward Industrial Professions 526
20. How Aristocracy Could Issue from Industry 530
1. How Mores Become Milder as Conditions are Equalized 535
2. How Democracy Renders the Habitual Relations of the Americans Simpler and Easier 539

JANUARY 16TH THROUGH JANUARY 22ND
3. Why the Americans Have So Little Oversensitivity in Their Country and Show Themselves to Be So Oversensitive in Ours 541
4. Consequences of the Preceding Three Chapters 544
5.How Democracy Modifies the Relations of Servant and Master 546
6. How Democratic Institutions and Mores Tend to Raise the Price and Shorten the Duration of Leases 553
7. Influence of Democracy on Wages 555
8. Influence of Democracy on the Family 558
9. Education of Girls in the United States 563
10. How the Girl is Found beneath the Features of the Wife 565
11. How Equality of Conditions Contributes to Maintaining Good Mores in America 567
12. How the Americans Understand the Equality of Man and Woman 573
13. How Equality Naturally Divides the Americans into a Multitude of Particular Little Societies 577
14. Some Reflections on American Manners 578
15. On the Gravity of the Americans and Why It Does Not Prevent Their Often Doing Ill-Considered Things 582
16. Why the National Vanity of the Americans Is More Restive and More Quarrelsome than That of the English 585
17. How the Aspect of Society in the United States Is at Once Agitated and Monotonous 587
18. On Honor in the United States and in Democratic Societies 589
19. Why One Finds So Many Ambitious Men in the United States and So Few Great Ambitions 599

JANUARY 23RD THROUGH JANUARY 29TH
20. On the Industry in Place-Hunting in Certain Democratic Nations 604
21. Why Great Revolutions Will Become Rare 606
22. Why Democratic Peoples Naturally Desire Peace and Democratic Armies Naturally [Desire] War617
23. Which Is the Most Warlike and the Most Revolutionary Class in Democratic Armies 623
24. What Mates Democratic Armies Weaker than Other Armies When Entering into a Campaign and More Formidable When War Is Prolonged 626
25. On Discipline in Democratic Armies 629
26. Some Considerations on War in Democratic Societies 631
1. Equality Naturally Gives Men the Taste for Free Institutions 639
2. That the Ideas of Democratic Peoples in the Matter of Government Are Naturally Favorable to the Concentration of Powers 640
3. That the Sentiments of Democratic Peoples Are in Accord with Their Ideas to Bring Them to Concentrate Power 643
4. On Some Particular and Accidental Causes That Serve to Bring a Democratic People to Centralize Power or Turn It Away from That 646
5. That among European Nations of Our Day Sovereign Power Increases Although Sovereigns are less Stable 651


JANUARY 30TH THROUGH JANUARY 31ST
6. What Kind of Despotism Democratic Nations Have to Fear 661
7. Continuation of the Preceding Chapters 666
8. General View of the Subject 673

Those of you who are going to read Democracy in America use the spoiler html because this is a single thread discussion.

1. Read message 3 and that message shows you the rules for the buddy read discussion and how to do the spoiler html.

2. Message 4 actually shows you the spoiler html code. Use it on this thread.

3. Where is the Table of Contents and the reading syllabus? - Messages 6 - 9.

All, we do not have to do citations regarding the book or the author being discussed during the book discussion on these discussion threads - nor do we have to cite any personage in the book being discussed while on the discussion threads related to this book.

However if we discuss folks outside the scope of the book or another book is cited which is not the book and author discussed then we do have to do that citation according to our citation rules. That makes it easier to not disrupt the discussion.

Welcome everyone to our December Book of the Month selection. We are going to be digging into Democracy in America. This is a heftier book than most of our previous selections so we have an aggressive reading schedule and will be extending this book through January.

We will be covering the Introduction and Volume One, Part One, Chapters 1-2 this week. Let's kick things off with a few introductory questions:


Week One Discussion Questions – Kick Off and Introductions

1. Introduce yourself and tells us what interest you have in this book.

2. What do you know about Alexis de Tocqueville?

3. What does Democracy mean to you?

Hi, Gavin Bledsoe here, and I have been meaning to read 'DIA' for years, so this reading groups is the perfect opportunity to make it happen. I know I read about de Tocqueville and 'DIA' during high school and college, but I was never assigned any readings. I would come across the book off and on, but never felt the urge to dip in. In 1997 C-SPAN ran a Tocqueville Bus Tour and I watched a number of the programs, loved them, but again did not read.

So, after some recent observations of people stating that they were dropping out and reading de Tocqueville I thought I finally have to do this. So here I am.

Democracy to my mind is the opportunity for a regular guy like me to participate as much as I desire in my government, whether simply voting, advocating, or even running for office. Love it and I look forward to having a better understanding regarding this book.

Now for one small observation. When I received the notification it appeared that the group was reading one particular edition that I looked for locally and ended up buying online. When the feed actually opened up I discovered that another edition was being used, or so it seems. That, I did find in hardback today, at my best used bookstore for $9.83 plus tax. I just suggest that things might be clearer before taking the plunge, and perhaps that is simply my fault for being a lurker for several years.

Regardless, I am extremely excited about this book and the reading group. Cheers!

Alexis de Tocqueville

vs

Alexis de Tocqueville

Gavin wrote: "Hi, Gavin Bledsoe here, and I have been meaning to read 'DIA' for years, so this reading groups is the perfect opportunity to make it happen. I know I read about de Tocqueville and 'DIA' during hig..."

Hi Gavin - Glad you can join us. You can read whatever edition you like. I noted the edition that was used in setting up the weekly discussion. I have made sure to set the syllabus by chapters, so even though I set page numbers, you can distinguish by chapter headings.

Note: Please be familiar with the spoiler tags as mentioned in message 4 above. This discussion will take place in spoiler posts since it is a single threaded discussion.

I have wanted to read this book for a long time. Great idea to spread it out over two months. My copy is on the way and I will be joining you as I can.

Welcome, Donna.

Chapter Overviews and Summaries
Week One

(view spoiler)[External Configuration of North America - 19 - 26

Tocqueville begins within almost poetic description of the geographical layout of North America. There are two regions, bordered on the north by the pole and on the south by the equator, and separated in the middle by the Great Lakes. The region more suitable for human habitation is the southern one because it has more natural divisions. The Mississippi River valley, still a largely uninhabited wilderness, "is the most magnificent habitation ever prepared by God for man." The areas east of the Alleghenies where the population is concentrated are much less suitable for agriculture. When settlers first went to America, it was not completely uninhabited. The native tribes had a unique social organization, which was rudimentary and coarse in comparison to Europe, but which had a particular dignity as well. Though they were ignorant, they were not servile like many of the poor in aristocratic countries. Remains of previous civilizations have been found, but no one knows anything about them. Because the Indians were hunters, they did not actually possess the land. One gains possession of land through agriculture. The area around the Mississippi and in the plains is so well-suited for trade and industry that civilized man was destined to build a society there.


The United States in 1831

On the Point of Departure and Its Importance for the Future of the Anglo-Americans – 27 - 43

One needs to understand the origin of a nation in order to understand its social conditions and laws. America is the only great nation for which we can see the origins. This chapter is important because it "provides the germ of all that is to follow."
Immigrants to America all shared a common language. In addition, their English heritage provided them with the knowledge and experience of local self-government, and the idea of the sovereignty of the people was deeply rooted in the Tudor monarchy. Because of religious influences, the people had chaste mores.

The land in America is not suitable for aristocracy because it is too difficult to handle and not fertile enough to provide enough support for both a landlord and tenant. As result, a large middle class formed.

There are two branches of colonies: the South and the North. The South began with Virginian settlers who were in search of gold and profit. These settlers had generally low moral standards, and almost immediately established slavery. These factors explain the mores and social conditions in the South.

In the North, all the immigrants came from educated classes. They left the comforts of home because of their belief in Puritanism, which is not just a religious doctrine but also contains the most absolute democratic theories. The Pilgrims established an orderly society immediately upon landing in 1620, and the colony grew rapidly because of continued immigration. It was "a society homogeneous in all its parts," the most perfect democracy that ever existed.

The English government encouraged the colonists and was actually glad that they left England because they were seen as potential revolutionaries. The colonies enjoyed great internal freedom. The settlers did not deny England's rule, but they did not take their internal ruling power from England. They organized themselves independently.

Criminal law in New England was based on Biblical moral codes. The laws were extremely strict and invasive. However, these were self-imposed and freely agreed upon. The people's mores were even more austere than their laws.

The political laws were well ahead of their time, and included such features as participation of the people in public affairs, individual freedom, trial by jury, etc. There was almost perfect equality of wealth and intellect among the citizens. While the state was officially a monarchy, local independence flourished, and each township was organized as a republic.

The laws demonstrated great knowledge of advanced social and political theory. They included provisions for the poor and public education (on the grounds that ignorance is an ally of the Devil). In this way, the spirit of religion and the spirit of freedom were combined. In the sphere of morality everything was absolute, but in the sphere of politics everything was open to debate. As a result, religion and political freedom mutually supported one another. Religion is better off if it gains support without state coercion, and political freedom is strengthened by religion because it helps to create and maintain good mores, which are necessary for the responsible use of freedom.


The Puritans land at Plymouth Rock in 1620

Reasons for Some Singularities That the Laws and Customs of the Anglo-Americans Present – 44

One needs to distinguish between elements of Puritan origin and elements of English origin. There are some laws in America which do not seem to fit their ideology, but which are simply a result of English influence. Such laws provide a slight aristocratic element.


Postcard depicting Boston's town square in the Puritan era (hide spoiler)]

Thank you to everyone who worked on the chapter summaries, the syllabi and the introduction. Fine work by interesting scholars. I'm looking forward to reading de Tocqueville's books, accompanied by everyone's interesting insights and takes on his musings.

Welcome Michael.

Hello all ~ We are kicking off Democracy in America this week. It is a short week so we are doing the Introduction and Chapters 1 and 2. Please be sure to post all comments on the book in spoiler tags. See message 4 above.

I'll be posting some questions from time to time as conversation starters but you do not have to answer these questions. You can post your own comments, questions, thoughts, favorite quotes. This is your discussion.

Enjoy.

Week One Discussion Questions – External Configuration of North America - 19 - 26

(view spoiler)[1. How does de Tocqueville view Native Americans?

2. What is the “external configuration” to de Tocqueville and how do you think that will affect his views of democracy for America?

(hide spoiler)]

Week One Discussion Questions - On the Point of Departure and Its Importance for the Future of the Anglo-Americans – 27 - 43

(view spoiler)[1. Discuss the relationship between religion and democracy. Is the former necessary to maintain the latter, as Tocqueville asserts? Is it true that religion and politics can live in separate spheres and not influence each other?

2. What did the communities of New England base the foundation of a democratic society on?


The Puritan spirit in the United States (hide spoiler)]

Week One Discussion Questions - Reasons for Some Singularities That the Laws and Customs of the Anglo-Americans Present – 44

(view spoiler)[1. Do you agree with de Tocqueville that “legislation is hostile to the poor and favorable only to the rich?”

2. De Tocqueville mentions that there is a top layer of democracy and beneath a layer of old aristocracy. What are your thoughts on this observation?

(hide spoiler)]

Hi everyone. I will be reading and discussing it with you all.
This is my first book with the group, looking forward to the
discussion.

I am using another edition ... an e-book translated by Henry Reeve.

Welcome MaryAnn! I think you will be fine, no matter what edition you are reading. I have the syllabus broken up by chapters, so pages really won't be so important.

Chapter Overviews and Summaries
Week Two - Part One

(view spoiler)[Chapter 3 – Social State of the Anglo-Americans 45 - 52

The Anglo-Americans in the northern part of America (New England) were democratic in their character from the first. The only aristocracy there was one of intellect. In the south, however, landed proprietors, through slave labor, had a more aristocratic society, although it was not a European aristocracy, for it was a short-lived way of life. The estates had no tenants, and there was no patronage.

Tocqueville claims that the law of inheritance is more than a civil law; it has a political consequence. It can cause an aristocracy overnight by vesting property in a few hands, or the law of inheritance can distribute and divide property among all the children.

If the property is divided, with each death of an owner there is a “revolution in property”. The shares become smaller and smaller, and large fortunes are destroyed. Primogeniture, however, where property is passed only through the eldest son, promotes a family feeling on the land because the estate is maintained. The law of equal distribution strikes at the root of landed property. In France, this destruction of the great estates was going on, and Tocqueville looked to the United States to see where this tendency would lead.

After only sixty years of American government, the great estates have been broken up, he says, because of the inheritance laws, and the sons of citizens must become professionals to earn their livings. Hereditary rank is destroyed. There is wealth in America, but “wealth circulates with inconceivable rapidity”. Wealth is not passed on to another generation by primogeniture. Western settlements on the frontier exhibit the utmost limit of democracy where everything has to be started from scratch, and there is no inherited society.

In America, there are few ignorant people, but at the same time, few learned people. Everyone is able to get some education but few become specialized in knowledge. Likewise, there are few wealthy Americans; all must take professions to have money. There is no aristocracy to support the leisure for intellectual pursuit and honor: “A middling standard is fixed in America for human knowledge”. Yet, Americans are found more equal than in any other country.

Equality must thus become political, from both good and bad motives of the human heart. One motive is the wish to progress and be successful. There is also a depraved motive to reduce others to a lower standard, to level the field. Thus, liberty is really not the chief motive of Americans; “equality is their idol”.

In the state of equality where no one person can protect his independence, the people must join together to protect their liberty. Very few nations could be successful in this attempt, but the Americans have escaped domination by tyranny through “their morals to establish and maintain the sovereignty of the people”.

Chapter 4 – On the Principle of the Sovereignty of the People in America 53

In most countries the will of the people is abused by despots or concealed from view. In America, the sovereignty or will of the people is openly recognized and proclaimed by law. In colonial days this principle ruled secretly in the provincial governments. Once the American Revolution happened, the principle became law, voted on even by the men who stood most to lose power. Ironically, the state of Maryland, founded by men of rank, was the first to proclaim universal suffrage.

Tocqueville notes that once the right to vote is extended, it must expand more and more to others who demand the right, “for after each concession the strength of the democracy increases”. Sovereignty of the people can be exercised as in Athens where the laws were made by all the people, or there can be a representative government chosen by universal voting, as in the United States. In the U.S., “society governs itself for itself”. All power resides in the whole.

Chapter 5 – Necessity of Studying What Takes Place in the Particular States before Speaking of the Government of the Union 56 - 82

The Constitution of the United States has two distinct governmental levels, almost separate and independent: the state governments, formed first, and the federal government, formed last. The state government is the rule, and the federal government the exception.

The township, Tocqueville claims, is such a natural organization it “seems to come directly from the hand of God”. Townships are formed locally by the manners of the people, “self-produced”. Municipal institutions are thus “the strength of free nations”.
He studies the New England Township in particular, where the people are the source of power, and there is not a system of representation but direct democracy. This is very different from the French system, where there is one ruling mayor in a town. In America, the administrative power is vested in elected “selectmen” who carry out the popular mandate. There are many local offices so power is shared. Every individual has an equal stake and chance to participate.

Individuals submit to this form of government not out of a sense of inferiority, but to associate with others to assure their freedom. They are only responsible to God for themselves, and are the best judges of their own interests. Society only may stop them if they threaten the common welfare.

The township is in the relationship of an individual to the central government. Townships do not get power from the central government but give up a portion of power to the government for protection and certain administrative necessity. The state has no right to interfere with a local government’s internal affairs. The New England towns created a tremendous public spirit in the citizens because power was distributed, so everyone had a vested interest.

There are two ways to create order: limit the power of society or distribute power all through society. Distributing power could create anarchy in some places, but it does not in America, which is marked by a love of law and order. America is a land of law, but the law is vested in many hands to uphold it. There is nothing hierarchical or centralized in American constitutions.
There is a division of power in terms of function as well: administrative, judicial, and legislative. These powers need to be balanced, each forming a check on the other.

The farther south one goes in the country, the less the township has influence, and the more the power of the county and magistrate take over. Yet both town and county work on the same principle of popular sovereignty; they take care of their own interests. Everywhere the administrative function is kept in check by the judiciary.

Each state government has a Senate, a legislative body with some executive and judicial power (nominations and judicial trial) and a House of Representatives, a legislative body that has no share in administration and very small judicial power (except impeachment). The elected state governor represents the administrative power of the state and does not embody that power. He has the right of veto on legislation and is the military commander.

In the United States there is no centralized administration as practiced in Europe; local and state authority are more important than national authority. There is no large standing army to intimidate the citizens.

Chapter 6 – On Judicial Power in the United States and Its Action on Political Society 93 - 98

Though Tocqueville has seen other republics, he has never seen a judicial system like that in the United States. He finds the judiciary in most countries has a passive political role. Judges simply rule on the cases given to them according to the law of the land. In America, however, judges have immense political power in that they found their decisions according to the Constitution rather than on the laws. They can pronounce laws unconstitutional.

In France, the constitution is not supposed to change, and in England it can be modified by Parliament. In the U. S. however, the Constitution is “a detached whole, which, as it represents the will of the whole people, is no less binding on the legislator than on the private citizen”. It is the origin of all authority.

Judges therefore have the power of interpreting the Constitution. It is the first of laws and is given preference over all other laws. If a judge finds a law to be unconstitutional he may refuse to admit it as a rule, so “few laws can escape the searching analysis of the judicial power for any length of time, for there are few that are not prejudicial to some private interest or other”.

Tocqueville finds this American method of testing the law, by bringing private suits to court, instead of through political attacks by party, “most favorable to liberty and to public order”. In a free country like America, no one is above the law, including elected officials. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter Overviews and Summaries
Week Two - Part Two

(view spoiler)[Chapter 7 – On Political Judgment in the United States 100

Political jurisdiction means the temporary right of pronouncing a legal decision by a political body. In the United States, the House of Representatives may impeach, and the Senate may punish an offending public official. In America, however, such a political trial merely ends in removal from office, while in Europe the political tribunal can enforce the penal code. Only a civil jury in America can punish the official after being dismissed.

Chapter 8 – On the Federal Constitution 105 - 130

This lengthy chapter, under the following subheadings, deals with how the national sovereignty is granted to the federal government, the supreme authority of the Union.

History of the Federal Constitution

From the beginning, there were two impulses towards government in the colonies: one geared toward the local interests of each area (town, state), and a larger one for union of all interests against common enemies (federal). Once the Revolutionary War ended, the original Union ended with its impotent constitution. Tocqueville praises the new country for withdrawing its first national constitution to reconsider itself and its federal powers for two years. The Constitutional Convention, led by George Washington, “contained the finest minds and the noblest characters that had ever appeared in the New World”. These leaders produced the new Constitution, which commenced the Federal government in 1789, and is still in effect.

Summary of the Federal Constitution

The first problem was to balance the sovereignty between the states and the Union. The Union was carefully defined, and what was not specified was left to the states. The states prevailed, and the federal government was the exception. The Federal high court was to maintain the balance of power between the two.

Powers of the Federal Government

The Federal Government can declare war, make peace, control the monetary system, the mail, the national roads, can levy taxes, and can override state government in cases where the Union is threatened.

Legislative Powers of the Federal Government

A spirit of compromise led to the two legislative houses being constituted on different principles. There were two ideas of a Union to begin with. Some wanted to see a league of independent states that would meet as a congress. Another group wanted to see one nation formed.

In the first scheme, it would be a majority of states that would prevail, while in the second scheme, it would be a majority of the whole population that would make the laws. The Senate became the body where each state had equal weight with two senators. The House of Representatives is the body that is proportioned to the population of each state. This leads to the paradox that a minority in the Senate could oppose the majority in the House, yet there is so much authority in the will of the people, says Tocqueville, that the majority cannot be thwarted for long. Ultimately, the object of the Federal Constitution is not to destroy the power of states, but to restrain it.

The Executive Power

The Constitution tries to create an executive power dependent on the majority but strong enough to act within its own sphere. The President is elected but not completely independent. The Senate, for instance, oversees his relations with foreign powers and his appointments. The Senate can annul some of his acts but cannot make him act. There is always a struggle between the President and legislature, but the President has the veto, which is an appeal to public opinion.

How the President Differs from a Constitutional King of France
The President is the mere executor of the law, while the French King is part of the legislative branch. The executive branch in America is more limited than the executive in France: “The Americans have a Federal and the French a national government”.

Sovereignty is defined as the right to make laws, and the King still has a portion of that sovereignty because the laws have no weight if he does not sanction them. The President is elected for four years, while the King’s position is hereditary. The King is also above the law, while the President is not. The President is always subject to “jealous supervision”.

The President has great power in foreign relations and commands the army, but the American army is weak, and the country is separated by ocean from the rest of the world. In France a King cannot rule without the support of the legislature, but the American President can preside even if he loses the majority in the legislature. Public opinion, however, rules in both countries, for in France, there are revolutions if the people are dissatisfied.

Election of the President

An elective system is dangerous if the executive is powerful, for it will allure the ambitious to run for office. Fortunately, the office of President is “temporary, limited, and subordinate” (p. 129). In a monarchy, the King is always there to conduct government, but in America the government ceases to act near election time when all attention is on the election. It thus introduces instability into government. Every new election in America is like a revolution; however, “the election of the President is a cause of agitation, but not of ruin”.

The President is officially elected indirectly through an Electoral College of representatives from each state voting as a jury on the same day. There is also a popular vote, and these two methods together ensure that the majority will make its choice known in a timely manner. Elections are a time of high passion and intrigue. The allowing of a President to run twice brings even more possibility of corruption, since the President is “an easy tool in the hands of the majority,” trying to please it rather than being a statesman.

Federal Courts of Justice

The courts are a powerful force in America. The Union had to be able to enforce laws. One way a nation does this is through physical force; another way is through moral force. The great purpose of justice is to substitute right for might. The state courts were unsuitable for enforcing federal laws because of the conflict of interests. (hide spoiler)]

Week Two Discussion Questions – General Thoughts on Democracy

(view spoiler)[1. Why is democracy a favorite form of government for people?

2. What is it about democracy that is so attractive? Is it being able to participate? Is it equality or freedom? If it is being able to participate, why do so few people participate in America?

3. Why would de Tocqueville say that democracy fits America?

(hide spoiler)]

Week Two Discussion Questions –Laws

(view spoiler)[1. Why is it important to understand how the laws came to be?

2. What was the goal of the new laws? Did the new laws achieve that goal?

(hide spoiler)]

Week Two Discussion Questions – The Constitution and Articles of Confederation

(view spoiler)[1. Do you think that when the Constitution was created, it was intended to be permanent?

2. What about the Articles of Confederation? The Articles were the predecessor to the Constitution. Were those intended to be permanent?

3. How did the laws capture the historical past of the Americans?

(hide spoiler)]

Week Two Discussion Questions - Governing

(view spoiler)[1. What makes people give their consent to be governed?

2. What does de Tocqueville think makes people give their consent? Why would anyone give their consent and then break the laws to which they consented?

(hide spoiler)]

Week Two Discussion Questions - Governing

(view spoiler)[1. What does agreeing to be governed mean? Does it mean you agree with all the decisions? Or does it mean that once a decision is made, you agree to abide by it? Does it mean you will work within the laws to change the law?

2. De Tocqueville seems to think that the consent of the people is necessary to govern in a democracy. Is this true? Why do you agree or disagree?

(hide spoiler)]

Week Two Discussion Questions – Federal Government

(view spoiler)[1. Why does having a split in powers between the federal government and the states make sense? When does it not make sense?

2. In de Tocqueville's day, why did this split make sense? Do the same reasons still apply now?


Tocqueville at the 1851 "Commission de la révision de la Constitution à l'Assemblée nationale". (hide spoiler)]

Week Two Discussion Questions – Weekly Wrap-Up

(view spoiler)[1. What are your thoughts on this week’s reading? Anything that stand out to you on de Tocqueville’s thoughts on Democracy and our Federal Government?

2. Read the Constitution and pick out the "Commerce Clause." What does it mean? What does that mean for the separation of powers between the state and the federal government?

(hide spoiler)]

Chapter Overviews and Summaries
Week Three

(view spoiler)[Chapter 8 – On the Federal Constitution – 133 - 164

How the Federal Constitution is Superior to that of the States
The Federal Constitution is superior to the state constitutions in construction because of the superiority of the men who composed it. The writers of the Federal Constitution lived in perilous time when there was a continual struggle against dominant authority. These men were patriots chosen for their integrity instead of their popularity. They “cast a calmer and more penetrating look upon their country” and decided the greatest fear was the abuse of freedom. They loved liberty and therefore created constitutional restrictions to abuse through a careful balance of powers, which may or may not be present in state constitutions. In conclusion, “The conduct of the Federal government is more fair and temperate than that of the states; it has more prudence and discretion”.

PART II

Chapter 1 – How One Can Say Strictly That in the United States the People Govern – 165

So far the author has commented on the institutions of the United States, but above the forms of government, there exists a sovereign power “superior to the laws.” He wants now to turn to the “secret springs” of American democracy. The people are truly the directing power of the nation. They exercise “perpetual influence on the daily conduct of affairs”.

Chapter 2 – On Parties in the United States – 166 - 171

Political parties are a necessary evil in free governments. Great parties are those that cling to principles, says Tocqueville. Minor parties arise from momentary selfish purposes and do not rest on principles or good faith. America had great parties in the past but not at the current time when political morality has declined. After the Revolution there were two opinions of how to govern—one wanted to limit the power of the people (Federal Party), the other to expand it (Republican Party). The Federalists were the minority but had great men and moral power. The Federalists were afraid of anarchy. Jefferson’s Republican party won in 1801, and liberties have continued to increase since then.

Now the political parties do not rest upon principle but upon “material interests”. They argue over tariffs and free trade. To a stranger the controversies of the American public seem trivial. President Jackson rallied the common people around him, for instance, to attack the Bank of the United States. There seems to be no stability or respect for great institutions in a democracy, because the people feel powerful enough to attack anyone.

Chapter 3 – On Freedom of the Press in the United States – 172 - 179

The liberty of the press affects both the political and social life of Americans and is necessary to ensure the sovereignty of the people. It prevents evils, though it does not always give advantages, especially as the American press uses violent and sensational language. Still it allows people to choose between various opinions. Censorship is opposed to freedom.

In France it is thought that violent opinions in the press result from the instability of the times, but America is politically stable and yet the press is violent. The press has mingled good and evil tendencies, and the Americans seem to tolerate the abuses for the sake of liberty. The press actually has more power, however, in France, because it is more serious and less commercial.

American papers are filled with advertisements and trivial anecdotes, while the French press uses the press to discuss politics. The Americans are not used to serious political discussion in journals and papers. There are many small inconsequential papers in America without much influence.

Chapter 4 – On Political Association in the United States – 180 - 186

Tocqueville turns now to what would be called today special interest groups and how they try to influence politics. These are private groups, more numerous in America than in other places. This is because Americans are taught from infancy to be self-reliant and not to depend upon social authority. Private societies are formed against alcohol consumption or to promote public safety, morality, commerce, and religion.

The right to associate in groups like this goes along with freedom of the press. These associations are granted the right to meet and to have headquarters. They may also combine to choose political delegates to represent them. The power of association is unlimited and provides a minority check to the majority. This right was imported from England, and Tocqueville thinks it is a right sorely needed in a democracy, while in an aristocracy, the nobles and wealthy are natural associations to check the abuses of power.

Chapter 5 – On the Government of Democracy in America – 187 - 219

In Europe it is difficult to isolate what may be an effect of democracy or something else, since there are multiple forces at work (aristocracy and democracy). In America, however, we may see democracy at work by itself and draw conclusions about its “real character.” This is important since France, like other European countries, is being “blindly driven onwards” towards democracy without knowing whether there will be a good or bad outcome.

Universal suffrage (everyone given the right to vote), for instance, is an advantage since it gives authority to the elected men who have the public confidence. Yet Europeans often doubt the wisdom of people to govern themselves. Tocqueville wonders why in America he has seen so many talented citizens and yet few of them are in public office. He guesses first of all the people are busy and do not have time to investigate thoroughly before making a choice, and secondly, because of the drive for equality, the people are not fond of distinguished talent, someone above them or more worthy than they are. He concludes, “universal suffrage is by no means a guarantee of the wisdom of the popular choice”.

However, there is the opposite fact to consider as well: when danger threatens the state, the people seem to succeed in electing those who can save it. At such a time, great characters emerge and “genius no longer hesitates to come forward”.

Elections also represent problems. If they are not held often, they create an artificial revolution each time, with too much upheaval. If they occur frequently, society is kept in “feverish excitement” (p. 205) and there is instability. A taste for variety is a characteristic of democracy. He quotes Alexander Hamilton as saying that excessive law-making is a problem of democracy, and he quotes Thomas Jefferson as complaining of too frequent change.

What Tocqueville admires is that in America the office is respected more than the person filling it. The elected officials are kept humble and honest by being paid by the public. They are also left to their own free action because they are not feared, due to frequent elections and changes. Most administrations are thus wiped out without a trace; newspapers are the only written history. Americans seem little interested in history, and very little lore is passed on from one administration to the next. Democracies can only be founded on a principle of a high degree of culture and intelligence in the society.

Turning now to finances, it will be found that government by a middle class democracy produces the most wealth in a country. However, giving the vote to the poor could be a problem if they are the ones who most benefit from the government, and the wealthy do not. The more the people get a share of property, the less distribution of wealth is a problem.

An aristocracy will always be trying to hang on to wealth and power, whereas a democracy will be invested in the future, the citizens always seeking for something better. A democracy is more expensive than other forms of government, however, because of its frequent changes in direction and the demands of its citizens for improvement. Its officials receive lower salaries than in an aristocracy, because it gives more money to the wants of the people. Democracies are more homely in their tastes and do not lavish money on buildings and art. America does not have to maintain a large military force as France does. There is more temptation to corruption in American democracy because all are striving for power and wealth.

America does not use conscription or impressments to fill its military, so it is hard to say how it would respond in a crisis of war. It appears that a democracy is less able to provide a sustained effort than an aristocracy or monarchy. The Americans do not have great self-control and are somewhat impulsive, but their mistakes are rarely fatal and can be undone.

Chapter 6 – What Are the Real Advantages That American Society Derives from the Government of Democracy – 220 - 224

Tocqueville says he does not think that the American Constitution is the only one for a democracy or even the best one. It is not always easy, however, to describe what are the healthy influences of a democracy, though the defects of American democracy are obvious. When the laws are made to promote the greatest good for the greatest number, democracy tries to do more for humanity than an aristocracy does. Aristocracies, however, are more skillful in legislation, with more far-reaching design. Here he gives England as an example of enlightened government, yet the interests of the poor have often been sacrificed.

The public in America keeps the country on course despite the mistakes in choosing elected officials. It is vigilant in pursuing its own needs. There is no political form that can favor all the people at the same time, so a democracy simply tries to care for the majority. America is successful in this, despite its blundering ways. (hide spoiler)]

Week Three Discussion Questions – Democracy
(view spoiler)[

1. What are the challenges that face American democracy today?

2. What in French history contributed to Tocqueville’s view of democracy?

(hide spoiler)]

Week Three Discussion Questions - Democracy and the Press

(view spoiler)[1. De Tocqueville believes that the press has little impact on people's decisions. Is this true today? Have people become dependent on the press for information? Does it help that the press is decentralized? Is the press decentralized today? Are the same reasons that de Tocqueville believes the press is a check against tyranny valid today?

2. Is there an instance where the freedom of the press has not been upheld in America. Why was it not upheld? What was the result? Did this help or hinder democracy and why?

(hide spoiler)]

I'm picking this up from the library today. I'm looking forward to starting it! This is my first BOM with this group, and I'll be a bit slow to read it, but I'll enjoy joining in on the discussions once I dive in. :)

Colleen wrote: "I'm picking this up from the library today. I'm looking forward to starting it! This is my first BOM with this group, and I'll be a bit slow to read it, but I'll enjoy joining in on the discussions..."

Welcome to the discussion, Colleen.

Welcome, Nancy. I am not familiar with Furet, so I will look him up.

Great introduction. I look forward to your unique perspective.

Note: Please be familiar with the spoiler tags as mentioned in message 4 above. This discussion will take place in spoiler posts since it is a single threaded discussion.

Nancy wrote: "Teri wrote: "Welcome, Nancy. I am not familiar with Furet, so I will look him up.

Great introduction. I look forward to your unique perspective.

Note: Please be familiar with the spoiler tags as ..."

Hi Nancy, put a title in bold (it helps it to stand out) and put the chapter you're about to discuss. That usually works well for us. I also will sometimes put a brief subject too.

Nancy wrote: "I'm trying to catch up with the group. My comment is an answer to the discussion question nr 2; message 23. I would like to hear your comments about it.
Chapter 2, pg. 30."

Reply to Nancy - Chapter 2 - Feudal Democracy

(view spoiler)[Great comment, Nancy. I think you are spot on. We definitely saw this later of aristocracy breaking through the democratic layer. Do you think the nation ever completely shed that aristocratic layer? Do we still see that today?

I came across this article recently that is interesting on this very topic. Keep in mind, it was written in 2000, but worth the read:

https://www.thenation.com/article/feu... (hide spoiler)]

Response to Nancy:

(view spoiler)[Tocqueville was a brilliant stylist and one of the great thinkers - when you read this book you have to do your critical thinking when reading this work - I appreciate your responses to Teri's great questions. It is very sad when only 25% of the voting population voted at all. You are right (hide spoiler)]

Nancy you are so right and what you posted is so true - I do not think that your response needs to be in spoilers and is so important that I am reposting it without spoilers because this was the whole point of selecting this book.

Little did I know at the time how relevant this book would be to today's news cycle. And what is most interesting is that this book was not written by an American.

Folks Nancy wrote this about the book we are discussing:

This book should be mandatory in all high schools! I remember my 'Government' class years ago....where I learned nothing! This book has been the greatest teacher when it comes to understanding the USA's greatest treasure: US Constitution!

All, I will be taking over the discussion.

Bentley, it's so great to have you back. I agree with Nancy that this book should be mandatory reading. It is hard to believe this book was not written by an American. He understands our system of government so well.

Helga thank you - this has been one of the roughest years of my life.

I am glad to be back.

This book is an amazing book and you are right - it is hard to believe that it is written by someone who was not an American. He really studied our system of government.

I am going to repeat important posts here for the folks just starting out and get everybody in sync - other folks who started out at the first of the month - that is fine - we will keep going.

Folks - please when you are starting out - read thoroughly messages 1 through 11 first - this will give you the background information on how a single thread book discussion takes place and how to use spoiler html. We give you a suggested reading syllabus that takes you through the end of January but I have extended the reading schedule through the end of February so that more folks can join in on the discussion of this classic. The threads are always open and we will be here for you - You do not have to rush - this is a great opportunity and discussion.

This is some important information about spoilers:

Remember the following:

Everyone is welcome but make sure to use the goodreads spoiler function.

If you come to the discussion after folks have finished reading it, please feel free to post your comments as we will always come back to the thread to discuss the book.

The rules

You must follow the rules of the History Book Club and also:

First rule of Book of the Month discussions:
Respect other people's opinions, no matter how controversial you think they may be.

Second rule of Book of the Month discussions:
Always, always Chapter/page mark and spoiler alert your posts if you are discussing parts of the book.

To do these spoilers, follows these easy steps:

Step 1. enclose the word spoiler in forward and back arrows; < >

Step 2. write your spoiler comments in

Step 3. enclose the word /spoiler in arrows as above, BUT NOTE the forward slash in front of the word. You must put that forward slash in.

Your spoiler should appear like this:
(view spoiler)

And please mark your spoiler clearly like this:

State a Chapter and page if you can.
EG: Chapter 24, page 154

Or say Up to Chapter *___ (*insert chapter number) if your comment is more broad and not from a single chapter.

Chapter 1, p. 23
(view spoiler)[I know everything now about chapter one and I am going to post it here - oops I better place this in a spoiler alert so I do not ruin the book for others (hide spoiler)]

If you are raising a question/issue for the group about the book, you don't need to put that in a spoiler, but if you are citing something specific, it might be good to use a spoiler.

By using spoilers, you don't ruin the experience of someone who is reading slower or started later.

Thanks.

You can copy and paste below to get your spoiler right:

<spoiler>Put Text Here</spoiler>