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Quote by Alexis de Tocqueville

“The power of the periodical press is second only to that of the people.”

Quote by Alexis de Tocqueville

Book:Democracy In America -- Vol. 1

Work

Democracy In America -- Vol. 1

Alexis de Tocqueville's seminal work explores the nature of American democracy, its institutions, and the influence of individualism and social equality. more

Author

Alexis de Tocqueville

Alexis de Tocqueville was a French historian and political theorist renowned for his seminal work 'Democracy in America'. He embarked on a journey to the United States in the 1830s to examine its democratic institutions, and his observations were compiled into a two-volume book that remains a cornerstone in the study of American democracy and political science. more

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“The genius of democracies is seen not only in the great number of new words introduced but even more in the new ideas they express.”

Ideas Language Numbers Democracy Genius New Ideas New Words

Book:Democracy in America

Source: Democracy in America

“The debates of that great assembly are frequently vague and perplexed, seeming to be dragged rather than to march, to the intended goal. Something of this sort must, I think, always happen in public democratic assemblies.”

Thinking Happens Goal Democratic Debate March Vague Assembly Seeming Perplexed

Book:Democracy in America

Source: Democracy in America

“There is hardly a pioneer's hut which does not contain a few odd volumes of Shakespeare. I remember reading the feudal drama of Henry V for the first time in a log cabin.”

Firsts Doe Remember Reading Education Drama First Time Odd Volume Pioneers Cabins Huts Henry V Log Cabins

Book:Democracy in America

Source: Democracy in America

“The Americans combine the notions of religion and liberty so intimately in their minds, that it is impossible to make them conceive of one without the other.”

Mind Liberty Impossible Notion

Author:Alexis de Tocqueville

“The main business of religions is to purify, control, and restrain that excessive and exclusive taste for well-being which men acquire in times of equality.”

Men Wells Business Taste Equality Well Being Acquire Exclusive Excessiveness

Author:Alexis de Tocqueville

“The surface of American society is covered with a layer of democratic paint, but from time to time one can see the old aristocratic colours breaking through.”

Political Politics Democracy Democratic Paint Surface Colour Covered Layers Aristocracy American Society American Democracy Breaking Promises Aristocratic Democracy In America

Book:Democracy in America

Source: Democracy in America

“An American cannot converse, but he can discuss, and his talk falls into a dissertation. He speaks to you as if he was addressing a meeting; and if he should chance to become warm in the discussion, he will say 'Gentlemen' to the person with whom he is conversing.”

Ifs Should Persons War Fall Speak Chance Meetings Warm Discussion Gentleman Converses Dissertation

Book:Democracy in America

Source: Democracy in America

“No state of society or laws can render men so much alike but that education, fortune, and tastes will interpose some differences between them; and though different men may sometimes find it their interest to combine for the same purposes, they will never make it their pleasure.”

Men May Different Sometimes States Law Purpose Interest Differences Pleasure Taste Fortune

Book:Democracy in America: The Complete and Unabridged Volumes I and II

Source: Democracy in America: The Complete and Unabridged Volumes I and II

“Nothing seems at first sight less important than the outward form of human actions, yet there is nothing upon which men set more store: they grow used to everything except to living in a society which has not their own manners.”

Men Firsts Humans Important Seems Action Form Used Grows Sight Stores Manners Human Actions

Book:Democracy in America: Volumes I & II

Source: Democracy in America: Volumes I & II

“The French want no-one to be their superior. The English want inferiors. The Frenchman constantly raises his eyes above him with anxiety. The Englishman lowers his beneath him with satisfaction.”

Want Eye Anxiety Raises Satisfaction Superiors His Eyes Inferiors World History Englishmen Frenchmen

Author:Alexis de Tocqueville