Alexis de Tocqueville

one in the same: Alexis De Tocqueville. Tocqueville was a well-respected writer, philosopher and overall scholar of the 19th century, but he never could quite figure out one very important piece of the democratic puzzle: women. He spoke highly of the American woman; however, he took diminutive time truly getting to know her or gather her insight. Therefore, although he had the right intentions, he left America with observations on the female gender that were far from accurate. Tocqueville noted that women had the ultimate power to define household…

Through the American and French revolutions, we can see the extent to which the leaders of the nations had to contemplate these questions and what they believed the best answer would be. Alexis de Tocqueville experienced how poorly the French revolution was going and traveled to the United States to see what made their revolution so effective. From his observations, he saw what made America so special during their revolution; the fight and need for equality. During his time here, he determined…

Imagine a man who is so smart that he clearly observes major enlightenments and downfalls of a new nation. Now, imagine a man who is so shy he rarely talks to women. These two men are one in the same, more commonly known as, Alexis De Tocqueville. Tocqueville was a great writer, philosopher and overall scholar of his time, but he never could quite figure out one very important piece of the democratic puzzle, women. He spoke highly of the American woman; however, he took diminutive time truly…

Alexis de Tocqueville was a prominent 19th century thinker in French political philosophy. After having witnessed a failed attempt to establish democratic government at home in France, he became interested in studying what he thought was a successful and fluorishing democracy to understand how the system works. This is how Democracy in America came to be. He anticipates a global movement toward democracy and equality, after it had progressed farthest in America at his time and became an…

Democracy in America Alexis de Tocqueville According to Tocqueville, “There are only two ways to make equality prevail in the political world: there must be given equal rights to every citizen, or to none” (Pg. 52). Tocqueville in his book Democracy in America highlights the characteristics of the first immigrants to New England who were equally the same, the aristocratic laws that were introduced in the South during the time of the revolution, changes in the laws of succession and the effects…

From his extensive observations of the American people and their regime, Alexis De Tocqueville wrote the “the principle of equality has quietly penetrated deep into the institutions and manners of the country” (Tocqueville, 630). Tocqueville’s focus on the principle of equality in Democracy in America conveys his belief that the pursuit of equality lies deep in the soul of America, manifesting itself in many forms and ways in both theory and practice. Thus, the principle of equality greatly…

Alexis de Tocqueville delivers a unique observation and perspective on the development of American identity. As a distinguished aristocratic Frenchman who was hit hard by the French Revolution, de Tocqueville does not use this book as an argument for anything, but rather he uses it as an opportunity to inspect American character and its evolving identity. He treats democracy in the United States comprehensively in order to relate it to America's history, national life, and perspectives toward…

Alexis de Tocqueville was born in Paris, France on July 29, 1805. He was born into an aristocratic family and had a relatively privileged life. His father, Herve-Bonaventure Clerel de Tocqueville, had a career in the French military as a second lieutenant. When Tocqueville was 16 years old he went to the college Royal in Metz, France to study philosophy. It was at this time that Tocqueville developed a passion for politics and he began to question the French aristocratic system. Afterwards,…

Even though half a century separates Alexis de Tocqueville from Jean-Jacques Rousseau, both theorists share similar views on several topics including the foundation of a regime, the organization of a political power and its exercise. Tocqueville can be read in a continuity from Rousseau's ideals. In the The Social Contract (1762), Rousseau proposes a model of society where men consent to obligations in exchange for peace and security. Through this contract, citizens acquire a stable…

John Stuart Mill and Alexis de Tocqueville, both were advocates for individual freedom, and liberty through democracy. Mill and Tocqueville both feared tyranny, and promoted democracy so that citizens could have individual liberties, and thoughts. Mill’s ideal citizen in a democracy would be participatory, and opinionated in their beliefs. His citizen would not curtail any other citizen’s belief, no matter how far off of their beliefs it is. Tocqueville’s ideal citizen would be one who…