Ideas from 'Democracy in America (abr Renshaw)' by Alexis de Tocqueville [1840], by Theme Structure
[found in 'Democracy in America (abridged)' by Tocqueville,Alexis de (ed/tr Renshaw,Patrick) [Wordsworth 1998,978-1-85326-480-1]].
green numbers give full details |
back to texts
|
expand these ideas
24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 1. A People / b. The natural life
|
22673
|
Wherever there is a small community, the association of the people is natural
|
24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 1. A People / c. A unified people
|
22676
|
The people are just individuals, and only present themselves as united to foreigners
|
24. Political Theory / A. Basis of a State / 2. Population / b. State population
|
22679
|
Vast empires are bad for well-being and freedom, though they may promote glory
|
|
22680
|
People would be much happier and freer in small nations
|
24. Political Theory / B. Nature of a State / 3. Constitutions
|
22675
|
In American judges rule according to the Constitution, not the law
|
24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 2. Leaders / b. Monarchy
|
22677
|
A monarchical family is always deeply concerned with the interests of the state
|
24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 2. Leaders / c. Despotism
|
22683
|
Despots like to see their own regulations ignored, by themselves and their agents
|
24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 2. Leaders / d. Elites
|
22669
|
Aristocracy is constituted by inherited landed property
|
24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 4. Changing the State / a. Centralisation
|
22674
|
In Europe it is thought that local government is best handled centrally
|
24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 5. Democracy / b. Consultation
|
22678
|
An election, and its lead up time, are always a national crisis
|
24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 5. Democracy / d. Representative democracy
|
22682
|
Universal suffrage is no guarantee of wise choices
|
25. Social Practice / A. Freedoms / 1. Slavery
|
22670
|
Slavery undermines the morals and energy of a society
|
25. Social Practice / A. Freedoms / 3. Free speech
|
22681
|
The liberty of the press is more valuable for what it prevents than what it promotes
|
25. Social Practice / B. Equalities / 1. Grounds of equality
|
22672
|
It is admirable to elevate the humble to the level of the great, but the opposite is depraved
|
25. Social Practice / B. Equalities / 2. Political equality
|
22671
|
Equality can only be established by equal rights for all (or no rights for anyone)
|