Reviews
Examining the process of American democracy broadens the scope of understanding modern society. It is not particularly difficult to read this book even without having read Volume 1 of *Democracy in America*.
Through Togley's masterpiece and my short nine-month trip to the United States, I learned that the driving force behind establishing American-style democracy in a direction completely different from Europe is the Puritan spirit, which regards practicality and frugality as the highest virtues.
To understand the nature of the civilization we live in today, one must understand American democracy. This is because the world we inhabit originated from American civilization, and American civilization, in turn, originated from American democracy. We often assume that the rights that began with American democracy were easily attained, but what they achieved through bloodshed reveals the truth that to gain one thing, one must give up many. That is why we need to know a great deal about
Part 1 of *American Democracy* primarily discusses American matters. Part 2 also deals with American democracy. However, in reality, *American Democracy* is not merely about America. While it cannot be denied that the work is based on experiences tailored to America’s unique circumstances, Tocqueville did not write *American Democracy* simply to describe America or to glorify its image. In his concept of democracy, Tocqueville places the emphasis on "equality." Indeed, it is no exaggeration to
This is a prophetic book that predicts the direction of not only American democracy but also humanity under the theme of equality. His insight and detailed analysis were so accurate that they can only be described as profound wisdom. Of course, while he made negative predictions, he affirms human capabilities. Perhaps it was his foresight that negative aspects would be sufficiently overcome, or perhaps he expected that the inherent nature of democracy would purify such negative aspects.
A. Tocqueville: Democracy in America 2
Alexis de Tocqueville was a representative liberal thinker who advocated for democratic social change. *Democracy in America* is the product of Tocqueville viewing his homeland, France, through the mirror of the United States. Having visited the U.S. with his colleague Beaumont to study the penal system, Tocqueville was deeply shocked by the unprecedented social equality and the absence of class distinctions. Recognizing the need for social change regarding France's backward political situation, he wrote this book. Written out of the necessity for a new political science corresponding to new experiences, *Democracy in America* is not the work of a value-neutral, detached scientist. In this book, Tocqueville rejected all forms of historical determinism by emphasizing the agency of citizens possessing the "ability to modify their own destiny." The core of his thought that consistently flows through this book is precisely a conviction in human practical capacity.
Korean title: 미국의 민주주의 2
Korean author: A. 토크빌
Korean publisher: 한길사
ISBN-13: 9788935601967
Reviews
Examining the process of American democracy broadens the scope of understanding modern society. It is not particularly difficult to read this book even without having read Volume 1 of *Democracy in America*.
Through Togley's masterpiece and my short nine-month trip to the United States, I learned that the driving force behind establishing American-style democracy in a direction completely different from Europe is the Puritan spirit, which regards practicality and frugality as the highest virtues.
To understand the nature of the civilization we live in today, one must understand American democracy. This is because the world we inhabit originated from American civilization, and American civilization, in turn, originated from American democracy. We often assume that the rights that began with American democracy were easily attained, but what they achieved through bloodshed reveals the truth that to gain one thing, one must give up many. That is why we need to know a great deal about
Part 1 of *American Democracy* primarily discusses American matters. Part 2 also deals with American democracy. However, in reality, *American Democracy* is not merely about America. While it cannot be denied that the work is based on experiences tailored to America’s unique circumstances, Tocqueville did not write *American Democracy* simply to describe America or to glorify its image. In his concept of democracy, Tocqueville places the emphasis on "equality." Indeed, it is no exaggeration to
This is a prophetic book that predicts the direction of not only American democracy but also humanity under the theme of equality. His insight and detailed analysis were so accurate that they can only be described as profound wisdom. Of course, while he made negative predictions, he affirms human capabilities. Perhaps it was his foresight that negative aspects would be sufficiently overcome, or perhaps he expected that the inherent nature of democracy would purify such negative aspects.
