What did Alexis de Tocqueville believe?
As “Democracy in America” revealed, Tocqueville believed that equality was the great political and social idea of his era, and he thought that the United States offered the most advanced example of equality in action.
Why did Alexis de Tocqueville believe that American society was egalitarian?
Why did Alexis de Tocqueville believe that American society was egalitarian? Americans lacked a hereditary social class of nobles. Americans had just abolished slavery just before his visit. The Declaration of Independence announced that all men were created equal.
What does Tocqueville mean by equality of conditions?
democracy
Tocqueville sees democracy or equality of conditions as having an “immense influence on the whole course of society.” (p. 9) More generally, he argues that the “social state” is “the prime cause of most of the laws, customs, and ideas” in a society.
What is individualism According to Tocqueville?
The French aristocratic political philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville (1805–59) described individualism in terms of a kind of moderate selfishness that disposed humans to be concerned only with their own small circle of family and friends.
How did Tocqueville define democracy?
In these works, Tocqueville explains the origins and character of modern life in the “Christian universe,” which he believes is dominated by a single fact: the “equality of conditions,” or democracy. Tocqueville understands democracy not merely as self-government but as a comprehensive way of life.
What was Tocqueville’s political experience like?
Tocqueville’s later work is colored by his extensive political experience. A deputy in the July Monarchy and minister of foreign affairs in the Second Republic, Tocqueville recounted his political life and times in his autobiographical Souvenirs. This work offers a revealing glimpse of the political activity of a thoughtful individual.
What is the meaning of the word virtue?
conformity of one’s life and conduct to moral and ethical principles; uprightness; rectitude. chastity; virginity: to lose one’s virtue. any of the cardinal virtues (prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance) or theological virtues (faith, hope, and charity)
What is the origin of virtue according to the Bible?
Word Origin and History for virtue. The seven cardinal virtues (early 14c.) were divided into the natural (justice, prudence, temperance, fortitude) and the theological (hope, faith, charity). To make a virtue of a necessity (late 14c.) translates Latin facere de necessitate virtutem [Jerome].
Is nerviness a virtue or a virtue?
— Stacy Schiff, A Great Improvisation, 2005 Nerviness is considered a virtue, a good machine, an energy that builds nations, businesses and dynasties.