Sunday, July 29, 2007

Alexis deTocqueville -- "Democracy In America"

Born this date in 1805.
"In America the majority raises formidable barriers around the liberty of opinion; within these barriers an author may write what he pleases, but woe to him if he goes beyond them."

"As one digs deeper into the national character of the Americans, one sees that they have sought the value of everything in this world only in the answer to this single question: how much money will it bring in?"

"
I know of no country in which there is so little independence of mind and real freedom of discussion as in America. "

"In the United States, the majority undertakes to supply a multitude of ready-made opinions for the use of individuals, who are thus relieved from the necessity of forming opinions of their own."

"No protracted war can fail to endanger the freedom of a democratic country. "

"The surface of American society is covered with a layer of democratic paint, but from time to time one can see the old aristocratic colours breaking through."

"There are many men of principle in both parties in America, but there is no party of principle."

No comments: