The aspect of American society is animated, because men and things are always changing; but it is monotonous, because all the changes are alike.
Alexis De TocquevilleRead
The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public's money.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote warns that the American Republic's survival is at risk if Congress uses public funds to buy favor with the populace.
Alexis De Tocqueville's quote reflects a keen observation about the potential fragility of democracy. He suggests that the American Republic can only thrive if its leaders do not exploit public resources to gain support from the electorate. When self-interest and short-term gains overshadow the common good, the very foundation of the republic could be compromised, leading to a deterioration in civic responsibility and governance.
Themes
DemocracyPublic MoneyCongressBriberyGovernment
In practice
Example use cases
Discussing the responsibilities of elected officials during a civic engagement seminar.
More from Alexis De Tocqueville
All quotes βDemocratic communities have a natural taste for freedom: left to themselves they will seek it, cherish it, and view any deprivation of it with regret. But for equality their passion is ardent, insatiable, incessant, invincible: they call for equality in freedom; and if they cannot obtain that, they still call for equality in slavery.
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Religion, which never intervenes directly in the government of American society, should therefore be considered as the first of their political institutions
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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.
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The Indian knew how to live without wants, to suffer without complaint, and to die singing.
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Grant me thirty years of equal division of inheritances and a free press, and I will provide you with a republic.
Alexis De TocquevilleRead
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