Introduction

Tocqueville begins Democracy in America by reflecting on the natural increase in human equality throughout history and the democratic revolution that was spreading across the globe. The striking equality of conditions in the U.S. led him to believe that European countries were not far behind and that, “the gradual development of equality of conditions is a providential fact; it has the principal characteristics of one: it is universal, it is lasting, it escapes every day from human power; all events, like all men, serve its development.” The rest of the book contains his observations about many aspects American politics and society.

Author Introduction

Majority Rule in a Democratic Republic

The principle of majority rule defines democracy. A successful democratic republic is ruled by the majority but does not allow the majority to tyrannize the minority. In these chapters, Tocqueville examines how majority rule operates in the United States and how the decentralization of power prevents the majority from becoming tyrannical.

Vol 1, Ch 15: Unlimited Power of  Majority and its Consequences

Vol 1, Ch 16: Causes Mitigating Tyranny in the United States

In the next chapter, Tocqueville reviews the specific aspects of America that have secured a democratic republican government for so long. The three primary causes Tocqueville cites are Providence, the laws, and the habits and mores of the people. Democracy in America is about the unique brand of democracy enjoyed by Americans, and this chapter summarizes the circumstances and behaviors Tocqueville believes make the country so exceptional.

Vol 1, Ch 17: Principle Causes Maintaining the Democratic Republic

Equality of Condition

One of the central themes of Democracy in America is equality. In these chapters, Tocqueville describes two unique effects high levels of equality have on American society and how individuals behave and interact with one another.

Vol 2, Part 1, Ch 8: The Principle of Equality Suggests to the Americans the Idea of the Indefinite Perfectibility of Man

Vol 2, Part 3, Ch 13: That the Principle of Equality Naturally Divides the Americans into a Number of Small Private Circles

Individualism and Associations

Tocqueville notes that in very democratic and equal societies, it is natural for citizens to be more individualistic. Increased individualism can have negative effects on the society because citizens are less concerned with the well-being of fellow citizens. The United States, however, does not seem to suffer ill-effects of individualism because of the tendency of citizens to unite in various kinds of associations. The chapters below describe the problem of individualism and how Americans combat the negative effects of it.

Vol 2, Part 2, Ch 1-9: Influence of Democracy on the Feelings of  Americans