Author
Alexis de Tocqueville
1805-1859
Alexis de Tocqueville (1805-1859) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
Subjects
Books by Alexis de Tocqueville
Democracy in America — Volume 1
"Democracy in America — Volume 1" by Alexis de Tocqueville is a classic French work published in 1835. After visiting America in 1831 to study prisons, Tocqueville turned his observations into an examination of democracy and equality in early nineteenth-century American society. He analyzes how religion, politics, and economics shaped the nation's egalitarian culture, while questioning the costs of social mobility and restlessness. The work explores democracy as both an American example and a broader revolutionary force transforming the Western world.
Democracy in America — Volume 2
"Democracy in America — Volume 2" by Alexis de Tocqueville is a classic work published in 1840. Following his 1831 journey through the United States, Tocqueville examines the democratic revolution transforming Western society. He analyzes American culture through a critical lens, exploring how equality, social mobility, and democratic institutions shape religious, political, and economic life. While praising egalitarian progress, Tocqueville questions the moral and spiritual costs of restless democratic society. This influential work has profoundly shaped Western political thought and social science.
The State of Society in France Before the Revolution of 1789 And the Causes Which Led to That Event
"The State of Society in France Before the Revolution of 1789" by Alexis de Tocqueville is a historical analysis published in 1856. The book examines French society under the Ancien Régime and explores what forces triggered the Revolution. Tocqueville presents his theory of continuity, arguing that despite revolutionary efforts to break from the past, France ultimately returned to centralized autocratic rule. He analyzes the Revolution as political and social reform rather than religious upheaval, and explores how complete class separation bred the hatred that fueled 1789.
American Institutions and Their Influence
"American Institutions and Their Influence" by Alexis de Tocqueville is a political analysis published in two volumes in 1835 and 1840. After visiting America in 1831 under the pretext of studying prisons, Tocqueville examined the democratic revolution transforming Western society. He explores how American government, religion, and culture shaped its egalitarian character, while questioning the costs of restless social mobility. The work critically analyzes early nineteenth-century American society and its lessons for a world moving toward equality.
The Recollections of Alexis de Tocqueville
"The Recollections of Alexis de Tocqueville" by Alexis de Tocqueville is a historical account written in the mid-19th century. The text presents Tocqueville's reflections on his experiences during the turbulent periods leading up to the Revolution of 1848 in France, as well as his overall observations on politics and society at that time. As a passionate participant and observer, Tocqueville aims to document the complexities of political life and the individuals shaping it, providing insights into the broader implications of their actions. The opening of the work sets the stage for Tocqueville's memoirs, highlighting his transition from public life to introspection amid political turmoil. He discusses his motivations for writing, expressing a desire to capture the essence of the revolutionary era and the characters that influenced it. Tocqueville reflects on the feelings of anxiety and anticipation that characterized the political landscape, noting a brewing discontent among the populace. He presents a keen awareness of the forces at play, including the rise of the middle class, the weaknesses of the monarchy, and the implications of the shifting balance of power, ultimately foreshadowing the dramatic events that would unfold.
Index of the Project Gutenberg Works of Alexis de Tocqueville
"Index of the Project Gutenberg Works of Alexis de Tocqueville" by Tocqueville is a comprehensive compilation of works by the influential French political thinker and historian, Alexis de Tocqueville, primarily written in the 19th century. This book serves as an index to his notable writings, which include profound analyses of American society and democratic institutions. Tocqueville's works are significant for their exploration of democracy, governance, and the social fabric of the United States and France during his time, illustrating the evolution of political thought in a rapidly changing world. The index includes major works like "Democracy in America," a two-volume study examining the effects of democracy on American life, along with "American Institutions and Their Influence" and "The Recollections of Tocqueville," which provide insights into his political experiences and observations during the revolutions in France. Through these writings, Tocqueville probes the intricacies of American society, the balance of freedom and equality, and the challenges faced by democracies, making a case for the importance of civic engagement and the potential consequences of majority rule. This index organizes these influential texts, making Tocqueville’s critical perspectives accessible for readers interested in political science, history, and democratic theory.
L'ancien régime et la révolution
"L'ancien régime et la révolution" by Alexis de Tocqueville is an essay published in 1856. Writing decades after the French Revolution, Tocqueville investigates its origins and challenges conventional understanding. He argues the Revolution was not a sudden break but the culmination of centuries-long processes, particularly state centralization. Examining why France—the most politically advanced nation—experienced such upheaval, he reveals paradoxes: the Revolution both destroyed and continued the old regime's institutions, and progress itself accelerated the collapse of feudal society.
De la Démocratie en Amérique, tome deuxième
"De la Démocratie en Amérique, tome deuxième" by Alexis de Tocqueville is a political and social treatise published in 1840. Following his travels through 1830s America, Tocqueville analyzes democracy's influence on society, ideas, and intellectual life. He examines democracy's potential dangers, including the risk of "soft despotism" and tyranny of the majority. The work explores how democratic passions, particularly the desire for equality, might threaten individual liberty and freedom.
De la Démocratie en Amérique, tome premier et augmentée d'un Avertissement et d'un Examen comparatif de la Démocratie aux États-Unis et en Suisse
"De la Démocratie en Amérique, tome premier" by Alexis de Tocqueville is a political study published in 1835. After traveling through the United States in 1831 under the pretext of studying prisons, Tocqueville examines America's democratic revolution and egalitarian culture. He analyzes how religious history, government, and economic conditions shaped American society, while questioning the moral and spiritual costs of social mobility and restlessness. The work explores democracy as an effect of industrialization, offering insights that would profoundly influence Western political thought.
Correspondence & Conversations of Alexis de Tocqueville with Nassau William Senior from 1834 to 1859, Volume 2
"Correspondence & Conversations of Alexis de Tocqueville with Nassau William Senior" edited by M.C.M. Simpson is a collection of letters and dialogues documented over a span of years from the early to mid-19th century. This historical account delves into the political landscape and social theories of the time, particularly focusing on the events surrounding the French political upheaval and the rise of Louis Napoleon. The correspondence likely examines Tocqueville's reflections on democracy, tyranny, and the consequences of political decisions, providing insights into his profound philosophical insights as a thinker. At the start of the work, readers are introduced to the context of Tocqueville’s thoughts, emerging from the backdrop of the tumultuous political environment of France post-1848 revolutions. The opening reveals Tocqueville’s conversations with Nassau William Senior, where they discuss the military takeover by Louis Napoleon and the implications for French governance, civil liberties, and societal structures. Tocqueville emphasizes the unprecedented nature of this coup, highlighting the tension between the army and civilian governance, and reflects on the potential dangers of despotism ignited by fear of socialism. This initial exchange sets the tone for the subsequent letters and journals, positioning Tocqueville as a keen observer of the complexities of democracy and authoritarianism.
De la Démocratie en Amérique, tome troisième
"De la Démocratie en Amérique, tome troisième" by Alexis de Tocqueville is a philosophical treatise written in the mid-19th century. This volume explores the social conditions and political theories of democracy, particularly focusing on the American democratic experience as it relates to intellectual movements and societal values. The book delves into the influence of democracy on various aspects of life, including the evolving nature of beliefs, individual rights, and the collective role of religion within a democratic framework. The opening of the work presents Tocqueville's reflections on the social and political landscape of America, emphasizing the unique philosophical method that Americans employ in their thinking. He notes that Americans tend to approach problems based on individual reasoning rather than established systems or traditions, leading to an aversion to preconceived notions. Tocqueville aims to demonstrate how the state of equality in America generates both novel ideas and certain risks, particularly regarding the dangers of conformism and the potential for tyranny by the majority. He establishes a foundational understanding of the principles at play in American democracy, setting the stage for a deeper examination of its consequences throughout the rest of the volume.
De la Démocratie en Amérique, tome quatrième
"De la Démocratie en Amérique, tome quatrième" by Alexis de Tocqueville is a political and social treatise published in 1840. Following a ten-month journey through the United States in 1831, Tocqueville analyzes American democracy and its influence on society, ideas, and intellectual life. He explores the dangers inherent in democratic systems, including the tyranny of the majority and what he calls "soft despotism," while speculating on democracy's future and its potential threats to individual freedom.