In "American Institutions and Their Influence," Alexis de Tocqueville provides a comprehensive analysis of American democracy and its social institutions in the mid-19th century. Through a nuanced exploration of political, religious, and familial structures, Tocqueville employs a distinctive literary style that combines sociological observation with philosophical inquiry. His keen observations are contextualized within the larger framework of European thought, reflecting the tension between liberty and equalitya theme that resonates throughout his work. By juxtaposing the American democratic experiment with older Western forms of governance, Tocqueville articulates the strengths and vulnerabilities inherent in democratic societies. Alexis de Tocqueville, a French aristocrat and political thinker, was deeply influenced by the political landscape of his own country and the political turbulence in Europe. His travels in America, motivated by a desire to understand the rise of democracy, provided him with firsthand insights that shaped his perspective on governance and society. Tocquevilles upbringing and academic pursuits in law and political science undeniably equipped him with the analytical tools required to dissect complex social phenomena. This book is an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the foundations of American democracy and its implications for modern governance. Tocquevilles incisive observations continue to resonate today, making it a valuable resource for scholars, students, and general readers interested in the interplay between institutions and individual liberties.In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience:- A succinct Introduction situates the works timeless appeal and themes.- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the eras events and influences that shaped the writing.- An Author Biography reveals milestones in the authors life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text.- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the works messages, connecting them to modern life.- Handpicked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Amongst the novel objects that attracted my attention during my stay in the United States, nothing struck me more forcibly than the general equality of conditions. I readily discovered the prodigious influence which this primary fact exercises on the whole course of society, by giving a certain direction to public opinion, and a certain tenor to the laws; by imparting new maxims to the governing powers, and peculiar habits to the governed. I speedily perceived that the influence of this fact extends far beyond the political character and the laws of the country, and that it has no less empire over civil society than over the Government; it creates opinions, engenders sentiments, suggests the ordinary practices of life, and modifies whatever it does not produce. The more I advanced in the study of American society, the more I perceived that the equality of conditions is the fundamental fact from which all others seem to be derived, and the central point at which all my observations constantly terminated.
Pela primeira vez em português, eis o texto integral da mais famosa obra de Alexis de Tocqueville. Desde a sua primeira publicação, em 1835, que «Da Democracia na América» é uma obra indispensável pa
Toda la obra de Tocqueville es una reflexión sobre la libertad o su ausencia, el despotismo. Su estudio de la realidad política y social de Estados Unidos le permitió diagnosticar los peligros que acarrea una democracia basada exclusivamente en la igualdad, el individualismo y el bienestar material. Esta edicion de La democracia en America incorpora notas, correspondencias, variantes e ineditos.
De la democracia en America, es el resultado del viaje que Alexis de Tocqueville inició el 11 de mayo de 1831. El resultado, un monumental retrato de la sociedad y de la política norteamericanas que refleja, por un lado, la esencia y el funcionamiento de sus instituciones, como producto de las costumbres de sus habitantes y, por el otro, un caleidoscopico muestrario de la vida cotidiana de ese pais. De aqui, Tocqueville extrajo los principios en que se basa, o deberia basarse, un Estado democratico. A mas de un lector de su epoca sorprendio el analisis de Tocqueville en torno a la tentacion hacia los abusos en que podria caer el poder mayoritario, como si fuera igual de tiranico que un poder monarquico. Tambien llamo la atencion su analisis de los partidos politicos y el papel de la prensa como influencia sobre el gobierno. Finalmente, hasta la fecha resalta su diagnostico sobre las influencias de la democracia en la vida social politica e incluso economica de los norteamericanos. Pero principalmente desconciertan al lector de hoy las predicciones que llego a formular Tocqueville en 1832 y que la ronda de la historia hizo que se cumplieran.
