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Democracy in America (Volumes 1 and 2, Unabridged)
Democracy in America (Volumes 1 and 2, Unabridged) | Alexis De Tocqueville
10 posts | 3 read | 1 to read
In 1831, the then twenty-seven year old Alexis de Tocqueville, was sent with Gustave de Beaumont to America by the French Government to study and make a report on the American prison system. Over a period of nine months the two traveled all over America making notes not only on the prison systems but on all aspects of American society and government. From these notes Tocqueville wrote "Democracy in America," an exhaustive analysis of the successes and failures of the American form of government, a republican representative democracy. Contained here are both of the unabridged volumes of that classic exposition as translated by Henry Reeve.
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review
Rome753
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Overall, this was a very interesting and informative book. Some parts could be a little dry, but quite a bit still provided interesting commentary. It was also interesting in presenting an outsider's perspective on American culture, government, and society. Overall, would recommend.

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Rome753
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"Despotism, which is of a very timorous nature, is never more secure of continuance than when it can keep men asunder; and all its influence is commonly exerted for that purpose. No vice of the human heart is so acceptable to it as egotism; a despot easily forgives his subjects for not loving him, provided they do not love each other."
-Alexis de Tocqueville, "Democracy in America"

dabbe 🎯🩵🎯 1w
AmyG Yep. Spot on. Especially today. 1w
Rome753 @AmyG Definitely. 1w
15 likes3 comments
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Rome753
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"Educate, then, at any rate; for the age of implicit self-sacrifice and instinctive virtues is already flitting far away from us, and the time is fast approaching when freedom, public peace, and social order itself will not be able to exist without education."
-Alexis de Tocqueville, "Democracy in America"

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Rome753
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"There is a great difference between doing what one does not approve and feigning to approve what one does; the one is the necessary case of a week person, the other befits the temper of a lackey."
-Alexis de Tocqueville, "Democracy in America"

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Rome753
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"In absolute governments the great nobles who are nearest to the throne flatter the passions of the sovereign, and voluntarily truckle to his caprices. But the mass of the nation does not degrade itself by servitude: it often submits from weakness, from habit, or from ignorance, and sometimes from loyalty."
-Alexis de Tocqueville, "Democracy in America"

dabbe 🎯🩵🎯 3w
10 likes1 comment
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Rome753
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"The corruption of men who have casually risen to power has a course and vulgar infection in it which renders it contagious to the multitude."
Alexis de Tocqueville, "Democracy in America"

AnnCrystal 😢🙏🏼🇺🇲. 4w
18 likes1 comment
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Rome753
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""The will of the nation" is one of those expressions which have been most profusely abused by the wily and the despotic of every age. To the eyes of some it has been represented by the venal suffrages of a few of the satellites of power; to others by the votes of a timid or an interested minority; and some have even discovered it in the silence of a people, on the supposition that the fact of submission established the right of command."

Rome753 -Alexis de Tocqueville, "Democracy in America" 1mo
14 likes1 comment
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Rome753
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"I do not mean that there is no deficiency of wealthy individuals in the United States; I know of no country, indeed, where the love of money has taken stronger hold on the affections of men, and where the profounder contempt is expressed for the theory of the permanent equality of property."
-Alexis de Tocqueville, "Democracy in America"

Chrissyreadit perfect quote for the insanity of enriching billionaires and destroying a portion of the country! 1mo
17 likes1 comment
blurb
Rome753
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Next up for reading. It's over 900 pages, so it will likely take a while.

Tamra It‘s amazing to read such astute observations of America from an outsider perspective. 1mo
Rome753 @Tamra Sometimes, an outsider perspective is much needed 1mo
19 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
Mollyanna
Democracy In America (Complete) | Alexis De Toqueville
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A book I read for a political-science class. May be time to revisit and rethink on its message.

If you haven‘t already please plan to vote Tuesday if you live in the U.S. It is how we make our voices heard!

#SundayFunday

BookmarkTavern A good choice! Thanks for sharing! 9mo
29 likes1 comment