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PLSC 114: Introduction to Political Philosophy

Lecture 22 - Democratic Statecraft: Tocqueville's Democracy in America. Three main features that Tocqueville regarded as central to American democracy are discussed: the importance of local government, the concept of "civil association," and "the spirit of religion." The book is not simply a celebration of the democratic experience in America; Tocqueville is deeply worried about the potential of a democratic tyranny.
(from oyc.yale.edu)

Lecture 22 - Democratic Statecraft: Tocqueville's Democracy in America

Time Lecture Chapters
[00:00:00] 1. The Characteristics of American Democracy: Civil Association
[00:10:50] 2. The Characteristics of American Democracy: Spirit of Religion
[00:25:47] 3. Tyranny of the Majority

References
Lecture 22 - Democratic Statecraft: Tocqueville's Democracy in America
Instructor: Professor Steven B. Smith. Resources: Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America [ebook]. Transcript [html]. Audio [mp3]. Download Video [mov].

Go to the Course Home or watch other lectures:

Lecture 01 - Introduction: What is Political Philosophy?
Lecture 02 - Socratic Citizenship: Plato's Apology
Lecture 03 - Socratic Citizenship: Plato's Crito
Lecture 04 - Philosophers and Kings: Plato's Republic, I-II
Lecture 05 - Philosophers and Kings: Plato's Republic, III-IV
Lecture 06 - Philosophers and Kings: Plato's Republic, V
Lecture 07 - The Mixed Regime and the Rule of Law: Aristotle's Politics, I, III
Lecture 08 - The Mixed Regime and the Rule of Law: Aristotle's Politics, IV
Lecture 09 - The Mixed Regime and the Rule of Law: Aristotle's Politics, VII
Lecture 10 - New Modes and Orders: Machiavelli's The Prince (chaps. 1-12)
Lecture 11 - New Modes and Orders: Machiavelli's The Prince (chaps. 13-26)
Lecture 12 - The Sovereign State: Hobbes, Leviathan
Lecture 13 - The Sovereign State: Hobbes, Leviathan
Lecture 14 - The Sovereign State: Hobbes, Leviathan
Lecture 15 - Constitutional Government: Locke's Second Treatise (1-5)
Lecture 16 - Constitutional Government: Locke's Second Treatise (7-12)
Lecture 17 - Constitutional Government: Locke's Second Treatise (13-19)
Lecture 18 - Democracy and Participation: Rousseau's Discourse on Inequality (Part I)
Lecture 19 - Democracy and Participation: Rousseau's Discourse on Inequality (Part II)
Lecture 20 - Democracy and Participation: Rousseau's Social Contract, I-II
Lecture 21 - Democratic Statecraft: Tocqueville's Democracy in America
Lecture 22 - Democratic Statecraft: Tocqueville's Democracy in America
Lecture 23 - Democratic Statecraft: Tocqueville's Democracy in America
Lecture 24 - In Defense of Politics