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What is the thesis or main idea of "Democracy in America?"

Democracy in America--first published by Alexis de Tocqueville in 1835--argues that the political transition from monarchy to democracy is inevitable.  Believing this, Tocqueville sought to examine the nature of democracy in the United States, the country which had the most robust and stable democratic government. Tocqueville intended these observations to help future democracies combat threats to liberty.


Tocqueville believed equality was the greatest threat democracies faced. The egalitarianism of democratic governments promotes a like...

Democracy in America--first published by Alexis de Tocqueville in 1835--argues that the political transition from monarchy to democracy is inevitable.  Believing this, Tocqueville sought to examine the nature of democracy in the United States, the country which had the most robust and stable democratic government. Tocqueville intended these observations to help future democracies combat threats to liberty.


Tocqueville believed equality was the greatest threat democracies faced. The egalitarianism of democratic governments promotes a like spirit among its citizens and causes them to seek not just legal equality (equality under the law) but also equality of condition (equal wealth, etc.).


Unfortunately, Tocqueville asserted, pursuing equality of condition often leads to a decrease in liberty--the cornerstone of democracy. To achieve equality of condition, one must give the government more power; power, for instance, to take wealth from one person and redistribute it to another. As government power increases, so does the risk for tyranny--the antithesis of democracy.

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