What Alexis de Tocqueville thinks about religion
French political philosopher and historian (1805 to 1859); author of Democracy in America.
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3 dated positions, c. 1835, in their own words. Our reading of what Alexis de Tocqueville has said — not written or endorsed by them.
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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
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Their wordsDespotism may govern without faith, but liberty cannot. Religion is much more necessary in the republic which they set forth in glowing colors than in the monarchy which they attack; and it is more needed in democratic republics than in any others.
↗Democracy in America, Volume 1 (1835; Henry Reeve translation)gutenberg.org All 20 from this book
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Their wordsIn proportion as a nation assumes a democratic condition of society, and as communities display democratic propensities, it becomes more and more dangerous to connect religion with political institutions;
↗Democracy in America, Volume 1 (1835; Henry Reeve translation)gutenberg.org All 20 from this book