The end of revolution?
Article Abstract:
Alexis de Tocqueville states in 'Democracy in America' that in the US, a country of freedom and equality, the 'push' factor of dissatisfaction is weak, while the 'stay' factor, constituted by what is now known as the middle class, is strong. He believes that the fact that most people are property owners and that commerce is a key economic activity acts as a strong incentive to maintain the status quo, thus preventing revolutions in a democracy. However, he was concerned that stable conditions of liberty and equality could have a negative impact on human creativity and originality and discourage innovation.
Publication Name: Journal of Democracy
Subject: Political science
ISSN: 1045-5736
Year: 2000
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Did Tocqueville foresee totalitarianism?
Article Abstract:
It is interesting to consider whether Alexis de Tocqueville anticipated the type of democratic despotism that the 20th century named totalitarianism and of which Communism was the key example. Several texts seem to support the claim that Tocqueville foresaw totalitarianism, but it is important to recognize that his vocabulary is pre-social science, with his terms often having different meanings from those they have today. It is particularly important to appreciate that Tocqueville saw democracy as meaning social equality, rather than representative government and civic rights.
Publication Name: Journal of Democracy
Subject: Political science
ISSN: 1045-5736
Year: 2000
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Putin calls for more nuclear cuts, maintenance of ABM Treaty. Putin elected president, addresses nuclear agenda
- Abstracts: Presidential election forum: the candidates on arms control. A world without arms control?
- Abstracts: Approaching humanitarian intervention strategically: the case of Somalia. A new approach to sovereignty in Africa
- Abstracts: The cultural challenge to individualism. Race and ethnicity in America. The challenge of an asymmetrical world
- Abstracts: Economic inequality and democratic instability. Compassion and the softening of mores