Democracy in America
by Alexis de Tocqueville
In what has become a classic reference for studying political science, Alexis de Tocqueville's Democracy in America is about why republican representative democracy works in the United States and fails in so many other places, and how to apply this knowledge to the failing democracy in France. He had a unique perspective as a French diplomat and historian who spent years visiting and talking with people from every state in the United States and studying its governance. He argues that the social and economic conditions have become more equal during the last seven hundred years, resulting in widespread trade, commerce, and the move toward eliminating indentureship (though the 13th amendment freeing African-Americans was not ratified until 1865).
Tocqueville never took democracy for granted. He discussed its possible threats and the risk of developing "a tyranny of the majority." Some contemporary pundits and government reform advocates would argue that threat remains quite real today. Democracy in America remains a vital piece of American history and literature. It continues to be studied in high school grades 9-10. It was published as two volumes, five years apart (1835 and 1840). We offer the first here. The edition we chose was translated by Henry Reeve. Third-party introductions and analyses have been eliminated so readers can draw their own conclusions from Tocqueville's words.
Chapter I - Exterior Form of North America
Chapter II - Origin of the Anglo-Americans, Part I
Chapter II - Origin of the Anglo-Americans, Part II
Chapter III - Social Conditions of the Anglo-Americans
Chapter IV - The Principle Of The Sovereignty Of The People In America
Chapter V - Necessity Of Examining The Condition Of The States—Part I
Chapter V - Necessity Of Examining The Condition Of The States—Part II
Chapter V - Necessity of Examining The Condition of The States--Part III
Chapter VI - Judicial Power in the United States
Chapter VII - Political Jurisdiction in the United States
Chapter VIII - The Federal Constitution--Part I
Chapter VIII - The Federal Constitution--Part II
Chapter VIII - The Federal Constitution--Part III
Chapter VIII - The Federal Constitution--Part IV
Chapter VIII - The Federal Constitution--Part V
Chapter XI - Why the People May Strictly Be Said to Govern in the United
Chapter X - Parties of the United States
Chapter XI - Liberty of the Press in the United States
Chapter XII - Political Associations in the United States
Chapter XIII - Government of the Democracy in America--Part I
Chapter XIII - Government of the Democracy in America--Part II
Chapter XIII - Government of the Democracy in America--Part III
Chapter XIV - Advantages American Society Derive from Democracy--Part I
Chapter XIV - Advantages American Society Derive from Democracy--Part II
Chapter XV - Unlimited Power of Majority, and Its Consequences--Part I
Chapter XV - Unlimited Power of Majority, and Its Consequences--Part II
Chapter XVI - Causes Mitigating Tyranny in the United States--Part I
Chapter XVI - Causes Mitigating Tyranny in the Unites States--Part II
Chapter XVII - Principle Causes Maintaining the Democratic Republic--Part I
Chapter XVII - Principle Causes Maintaining the Democratic Republic--Part II
Chapter XVII - Principle Causes Maintaining the Democratic Republic--Part III
Chapter XVII - Principle Causes Maintaining the Democratic Republic--Part IV
Chapter XVIII - Future Condition of Three Races in the Unites States--Part I
Chapter XVIII - Future Condition of Three Races in the United States--Part II
Chapter XVIII - Future Condition of Three Races in the Unites States--Part III
Chapter XVIII - Future Condition of Three Races in the Unites States--Part IV
Chapter XVIII - Future Condition of Three Races in the United States--Part V
Chapter XVIII - Future Condition of Three Races in the United States--Part VI
Chapter XVIII - Future Condition of Three Races in the United States--Part VII
Chapter XVIII - Future Condition of Three Races in the United States--Part VIII
Chapter XVIII - Future Condition of Three Races in the United States--Part IX
Chapter XVIII - Future Condition of Three Races in the United States--Part X