Alexis de Tocqueville on Democracy, Revolution, and SocietyAlexis de Tocqueville possessed one of the most fertile sociological imaginations of the nineteenth century. For more than 120 years, his uncanny predictive insight has continued to fascinate thinkers, and his writings have continued to influence our interpretations of history and society. His analyses of many issues remain relevant to current social and political problems. In this volume John Stone and Stephen Mennell bring together for the first time selections from the full range of Tocqueville's writings, selections that illustrate the depth of his insight and analysis. |
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
1 The Social Origins of Democracy | 47 |
2 The Political Structure of Democracy | 78 |
3 Social Relations under Democracy | 102 |
4 The Cultural Consequences of Democracy | 130 |
5 The Ancien Régime and the Origins of the French Revolution | 163 |
6 The Dynamics of Revolution | 215 |
7 The Revolution of 1848 and Its Aftermath | 250 |
Individualism Alienation and Deviance | 280 |
9 Race Relations Slavery and Colonialism | 320 |
Centralization Equality and the Problem of Liberty | 348 |
| 381 | |
| 387 | |
Common terms and phrases
administration ages Alexis de Tocqueville already Americans amongst ancien régime ancient aristocracy army Assembly authority Beaumont become believe causes central power chap citizens civil constitution contrary crimes Democracy in America democratic nations despotism effects elected England equality Europe European exist fact February Revolution feel feudal force France freedom French nobility French Revolution habits hand Henry Reeve human ideas independence individuals influence inhabitants institutions interests July Monarchy land language laws legislation less liberty living manners master means ment middle class mind monarchy moral natural negroes never nobility Old Régime opinion Paris passions peasant persons political population possessed present principle prison privileges public affairs race rank religion Revolution of 1848 rich rule seemed slave slavery social condition society stitutions taste theories things thought tion Tocqueville's township Union United wealth whilst whole