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TSR Wiki > Study Help > Subjects and Revision > Revision Notes > Politics > Tocqueville and Civil Society

One of the themes that Tocqueville is best remembered for is his emphasis on democratic mores and customs, and his assertion that these were of great importance in determining the success of a democracy.

Tocqueville repeatedly describes how the true spirit of American democracy is in the hearts of the people, rather than in fecundity of the land or the laws of the nation. Although there are numerous passages praising the spirit and the mores of the people, what follows is an arbitrary example:

The citizen of the United States is taught from infancy to rely upon his own exertions to resist the evils and the difficulties of life; he looks upon the social authority with an eye of mistrust and anxiety, and he claims assistance only when he in unable to do without it.

Political Associations

What is an association? "An association consists simply in the public assent which a number of individuals give to certain doctrines and in the engagement which they contract to promote in a certain manner the spread of these doctrines".

Thus, an association is an entity which seeks to change attitudes. It seeks to alter mores and customs.

Political associations do two more things: they meet, and they put up delegates for election to a central assembly.

Liberty of the Press

"The influence of the liberty of the press does not affect political opinions alone, but extends to all the opinions of men and modifies customs as well as laws."

The press is a key instrument in facilitating social discourse and fighting tyranny. By allowing tyranny to be subject to public opinion, the risk of it is mitigated.

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