What Alexis de Tocqueville thinks about government
French political philosopher and historian (1805 to 1859); author of Democracy in America.
Alexis de Tocqueville did not write this page.
We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.
Filter government · Newest first
Only Alexis de Tocqueville on government. See everyone on government
3 dated positions, c. 1835, in their own words. Our reading of what Alexis de Tocqueville has said — not written or endorsed by them.
-
Their wordsTown-meetings are to liberty what primary schools are to science; they bring it within the people’s reach, they teach men how to use and how to enjoy it. A nation may establish a system of free government, but without the spirit of municipal institutions it cannot have the spirit of liberty.
↗Democracy in America, Volume 1 (1835; Henry Reeve translation)gutenberg.org All 20 from this book
-
Our readingCentralized government is needed, but centralized administration saps a nation's public spirit
Their wordsIndeed, I cannot conceive that a nation can enjoy a secure or prosperous existence without a powerful centralization of government. But I am of opinion that a central administration enervates the nations in which it exists by incessantly diminishing their public spirit.
↗Democracy in America, Volume 1 (1835; Henry Reeve translation)gutenberg.org All 20 from this book
-
Our readingReligion is the foremost political institution in America though it takes no part in government
Their wordsReligion in America takes no direct part in the government of society, but it must nevertheless be regarded as the foremost of the political institutions of that country; for if it does not impart a taste for freedom, it facilitates the use of free institutions.
↗Democracy in America, Volume 1 (1835; Henry Reeve translation)gutenberg.org All 20 from this book