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Excerpt ​

Excerpt from Democracy in America — Volume 2, by Alexis de Tocqueville

De Tocqueville's Preface To The Second Part

The Americans live in a democratic state of society, which has naturally
suggested to them certain laws and a certain political character. This
same state of society has, moreover, engendered amongst them a
multitude of feelings and opinions which were unknown amongst the elder
aristocratic communities of Europe: it has destroyed or modified all the
relations which before existed, and established others of a novel kind.
The--aspect of civil society has been no less affected by these changes
than that of the political world. The former subject has been treated
of in the work on the Democracy of America, which I published five years
ago; to examine the latter is the object of the present book; but these
two parts complete each other, and form one and the same work.

I must at once warn the reader against an error which would be extremely
prejudicial to me. When he finds that I attribute so many different
consequences to the principle of equality, he may thence infer that I
consider that principle to be the sole cause of all that takes place in
the present age: but this would be to impute to me a very narrow view. A
multitude of opinions, feelings, and propensities are now in existence,
which owe their origin to circumstances unconnected with or even
contrary to the principle of equality. Thus if I were to select the
United States as an example, I could easily prove that the nature of the
country, the origin of its inhabitants, the religion of its founders,
their acquired knowledge, and their former habits, have exercised, and
still exercise, independently of democracy, a vast influence upon the
thoughts and feelings of that people. Different causes, but no less
distinct from the circumstance of the equality of conditions, might be
traced in Europe, and would explain a great portion of the occurrences
taking place amongst us.

Explanation ​

Detailed Explanation of Tocqueville’s Preface to Democracy in America, Volume 2 ​

This excerpt is the preface to the second volume of Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America (1840), a foundational work in political science and sociology. The first volume (1835) focused on political institutions and laws in the U.S., while the second examines social and cultural effects of democracy, particularly the influence of equality on manners, beliefs, and civil society.

Tocqueville, a French aristocrat who visited America in 1831, sought to understand why democracy thrived there while Europe struggled with revolutionary upheavals. His work remains one of the most insightful analyses of democratic society, individualism, and the tensions between liberty and equality.

Key Themes in the Excerpt ​

1. Democracy as a Social Condition, Not Just a Political System ​

Tocqueville begins by stating that Americans live in a "democratic state of society"—meaning that equality of conditions (social, economic, and political) is the defining feature of their world, not just their government. This democracy has:

  • Shaped laws and political character (e.g., universal suffrage, distrust of aristocracy).
  • Generated new feelings and opinions (e.g., individualism, self-reliance, suspicion of tradition).
  • Altered social relationships (e.g., weakening of hierarchical bonds, rise of voluntary associations).

He contrasts this with aristocratic Europe, where fixed social ranks, tradition, and inherited privilege dominated. America, in his view, represents a new kind of society where old European structures have been destroyed or modified.

2. The Two Parts of Democracy in America as a Unified Work ​

  • Volume 1 (1835) examined political democracy (constitutions, laws, federalism, tyranny of the majority).
  • Volume 2 (1840) shifts to social and cultural democracy (manners, religion, literature, individualism, materialism).

Tocqueville emphasizes that these two parts "complete each other"—one cannot understand American democracy without studying both its institutions and its social effects.

3. The Centrality—and Limits—of Equality as an Explanatory Force ​

Tocqueville warns readers not to oversimplify his argument. While he sees equality of conditions as the dominant force shaping modern society, he acknowledges that other factors also play a role:

  • In America:
    • Geography ("the nature of the country") – vast land encouraged mobility and independence.
    • History ("origin of its inhabitants") – Puritan settlers brought a culture of self-governance and religion.
    • Religion ("religion of its founders") – Protestantism emphasized individual conscience and anti-hierarchy.
    • Education & Habits ("acquired knowledge, former habits") – Enlightenment ideas and practical experience shaped American thought.
  • In Europe:
    • Different historical, cultural, and economic forces (e.g., feudalism, industrialization, nationalism) interact with democracy in complex ways.

His point is that equality is not the sole cause of modern developments, but it is the most powerful and pervasive one.

Literary and Rhetorical Devices ​

  1. Contrast & Juxtaposition

    • Tocqueville frequently contrasts democratic America with aristocratic Europe to highlight the novelty of the American experiment.
    • Example: "destroyed or modified all the relations which before existed, and established others of a novel kind."

  2. Qualification & Nuance

    • He anticipates misinterpretation ("I must at once warn the reader against an error") to prevent readers from reducing his argument to a single cause.
    • This reflects his analytical caution—he avoids deterministic claims, instead presenting democracy as a complex, multifaceted phenomenon.

  3. Metaphorical Language

    • "Engendered amongst them a multitude of feelings and opinions" – Democracy is framed as a living, generative force, not just a static system.
    • "Aspect of civil society has been no less affected" – Suggests that democracy transforms all areas of life, not just politics.

  4. Structural Parallelism

    • The preface mirrors the two-volume structure of the book:
      • First paragraph = Volume 1 (political democracy).
      • Second paragraph = Volume 2 (social/cultural democracy).
    • This reinforces his argument that the two are interdependent.

Significance of the Passage ​

1. Tocqueville’s Method: Sociological & Historical Analysis ​

Unlike many political theorists of his time (e.g., Rousseau, Montesquieu), Tocqueville does not just prescribe an ideal system—he observes and explains how democracy actually functions in society. His approach is:

  • Empirical (based on his travels and interviews in America).
  • Comparative (contrasting America with France and Europe).
  • Predictive (he foresees trends like individualism, materialism, and the rise of administrative centralization).

2. The Paradox of Equality: Liberty vs. Conformity ​

While Tocqueville admires democracy’s egalitarianism and dynamism, he also warns of its dangers:

  • Individualism (people become isolated, losing civic engagement).
  • Tyranny of the Majority (public opinion can suppress dissent).
  • Materialism (pursuit of wealth replaces higher ideals).

This preface sets up his deeper exploration of these themes in Volume 2, where he examines how democracy affects religion, intellectual life, and social bonds.

3. Influence on Later Thinkers ​

Tocqueville’s ideas prefigure:

  • Karl Marx’s analysis of class struggle (though Tocqueville focuses on equality, not economic conflict).
  • Émile Durkheim’s theories on social solidarity (how democracy creates new forms of cohesion).
  • Modern debates on populism, civil society, and democratic backsliding.

His warning against reducing history to a single cause (like equality) also anticipates complex systems theory in social science.

Conclusion: Why This Preface Matters ​

This short excerpt encapsulates Tocqueville’s core argument:

  • Democracy is not just a political system—it is a way of life that reshapes laws, manners, beliefs, and relationships.
  • Equality is the defining force of the modern age, but it does not act alone—history, culture, and geography also shape societies.
  • Understanding democracy requires studying both its institutions (Volume 1) and its social effects (Volume 2).

Tocqueville’s genius lies in his ability to see democracy’s strengths and weaknesses simultaneously—celebrating its liberating potential while warning of its possible degenerations. This dual perspective makes Democracy in America enduringly relevant, especially in an era where democratic societies face polarization, inequality, and crises of trust.

Would you like a deeper dive into any specific aspect (e.g., his views on individualism, religion, or the tyranny of the majority)?