Ideas of Alexis de Tocqueville, by Theme
[French, 1805 - 1859, Born at Verneuil in France. Died at Cannes.]
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24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 1. A People / b. The natural life
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22673
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Wherever there is a small community, the association of the people is natural
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24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 1. A People / c. A unified people
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22676
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The people are just individuals, and only present themselves as united to foreigners
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24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 2. Population / b. State population
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22679
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Vast empires are bad for well-being and freedom, though they may promote glory
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22680
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People would be much happier and freer in small nations
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24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 3. Constitutions
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22675
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In American judges rule according to the Constitution, not the law
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24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 2. Leaders / b. Monarchy
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22677
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A monarchical family is always deeply concerned with the interests of the state
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24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 2. Leaders / c. Despotism
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22683
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Despots like to see their own regulations ignored, by themselves and their agents
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24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 2. Leaders / d. Elites
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22669
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Aristocracy is constituted by inherited landed property
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24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 4. Changing the State / a. Centralisation
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22674
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In Europe it is thought that local government is best handled centrally
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24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 5. Democracy / b. Consultation
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22678
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An election, and its lead up time, are always a national crisis
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24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 5. Democracy / d. Representative democracy
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22682
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Universal suffrage is no guarantee of wise choices
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25. Social Practice / A. Freedoms / 1. Slavery
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22670
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Slavery undermines the morals and energy of a society
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25. Social Practice / A. Freedoms / 3. Free speech
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22681
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The liberty of the press is more valuable for what it prevents than what it promotes
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25. Social Practice / B. Equalities / 1. Grounds of equality
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22672
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It is admirable to elevate the humble to the level of the great, but the opposite is depraved
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25. Social Practice / B. Equalities / 2. Political equality
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22671
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Equality can only be established by equal rights for all (or no rights for anyone)
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