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
It is an axiom of political science in the United States that the sole means of neutralizing the effects of newspapers is to multiply their number.
Interpretation
Increasing the number of newspapers can help balance out their influence and effects on public opinion.
Alexis De Tocqueville's quote emphasizes the belief that in a democratic society, the proliferation of newspapers serves as a counterbalance to the influence that any single newspaper may wield over public opinion. By diversifying sources of information, the public can form a more well-rounded understanding of issues, thus neutralizing any potential biases from individual publications.
In practice
In a speech about media influence, one might quote De Tocqueville to illustrate the importance of diverse media outlets.
The aspect of American society is animated, because men and things are always changing; but it is monotonous, because all the changes are alike.
Democratic 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.
Religion, which never intervenes directly in the government of American society, should therefore be considered as the first of their political institutions
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.
The Indian knew how to live without wants, to suffer without complaint, and to die singing.
Grant me thirty years of equal division of inheritances and a free press, and I will provide you with a republic.
A good constitution is infinitely better than the best despot.
Any attempts by any government to change Community legislation to its own wishes are doomed to failure following the extension of policy areas now subject to majority voting... In our opinion, this must have serious implications for the traditional view of Parliament as a legislative body sovereignty.
The political world is defined by relationships rather than transactions, and by numerous actors at home and abroad with independent power. Navigating such a world is difficult and precarious.
We see more and more of our Presidents and know less and less about what they do.
We have already given in example one effectual check to the dog of war by transferring the power of letting him loose from the Executive to the Legislative body
The right to vote is a consequence, not a primary cause, of a free social system - and its value depends on the constitutional structure implementing and strictly delimiting the voters' power; unlimited majority rule is an instance of the principle of tyranny.
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