Democracy in America Book Summary

In 'Democracy in America: Abridged Edition,' Alexis de Tocqueville explores the unique characteristics of American society and its democratic institutions. His insightful observations reveal the balance between liberty and equality, highlighting the strengths and vulnerabilities of democracy. Tocqueville's reflections on individualism and the influence of mass society provoke profound questions about the future of democratic governance. With timeless relevance, this classic work invites readers to ponder the moral and political implications of democratic life. Dive into Tocqueville's fascinating analysis and discover how it shapes our understanding of democracy today.

By Alexis de Tocqueville

Published: 2007

"The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by private citizens."

Book Review of Democracy in America

The abridged edition of the enduring masterwork—a classic portrait of America's culture and people Originally penned in the mid-nineteenth century by Frenchman Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America remains the most comprehensive, penetrating, and astute picture of American life, politics, and morals ever written, as relevant today as when it first appeared in print nearly two hundred years ago. This abridged edition by scholar and historian Scott A. Sandage includes a new introduction and editorial notes, and offers students and the general reader alike easy access to the preeminent translation by George Lawrence, widely recognized as the best translation based on the second revised and corrected text of the 1961 French edition, edited by J. P. Mayer.

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The health of a democratic society may be measured by the quality of functions performed by private citizens.

Democracy in America

By Alexis de Tocqueville