Alexis de Tocqueville
French diplomat, political philosopher and historian (1805–1859); wrote Democracy in America.
At a glance
Main ideas
Tyranny of the majority, Soft despotism, Associations …
See all 5Books to start with
Democracy in America, The Old Regime and the Revolution, Recollections
See all 3Connections
Gustave de Beaumont and Democracy in America
See all 2
Also on this page: Key facts · Links · Sources · Related pages
- Tocqueville was a French diplomat, political philosopher and historian from an old Norman aristocratic family.
- In 1831 he travelled through the United States with Gustave de Beaumont, officially to study prisons.
- The trip produced Democracy in America, published in two volumes in 1835 and 1840.
- He sat in the French parliament from 1839 to 1851 and was briefly foreign minister in 1849.
- After Louis Napoléon's 1851 coup he left politics and wrote The Old Regime and the Revolution.
Why it matters
- Democracy in America is today considered an early work of sociology and political science, and his warnings about the tyranny of the majority and soft despotism are still cited in debates about democracy.
Key facts
- Born
- 29 Jul 18051
- Died
- 16 Apr 1859, of tuberculosis; buried in the Tocqueville cemetery in Normandy1
- Education
- Lycée Fabert, Metz (baccalaureate 1823); law degree, University of Paris (1826)1
- Parliament
- Member of the lower house for the Manche department (Valognes) from 1839 to 18511
- Minister of Foreign Affairs
- From 3 Jun 1849 to 31 Oct 1849, in Odilon Barrot's government1
- Travel in America
- Nine months in the United States from 1831, with Gustave de Beaumont, sent to study prisons1
- Spouse
- Mary Mottley, married 1836; they had no children1
- Politics
- A classical liberal; sat first on the centre-left, later the centre-right1
Main ideas
-
Tyranny of the majority1
The omnipotence of the majority in America stifles independent thought and free discussion.
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Soft despotism1
A democracy can slide into a protective state that keeps citizens as "perpetual children".
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Associations1
By associating for shared purposes, Americans overcome selfish desires and keep civil society active.
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Equality as a long revolution2
Over seven hundred years social conditions had grown more equal, and aristocracy was disappearing.
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Centralised government1
It "excels in preventing, not doing".
Books to start with
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Connections
Related
- Gustave de BeaumontHis lifelong friend and companion on the 1831 journey through the United States
Writes
Links
Sources
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