All posts by Alexis de Tocqueville

Parties In The United States Chapter Summary Great distinction to be made between parties – Parties which are to each other as rival nations – Parties properly so called – Difference between great and small parties – Epochs which produce them – Their characteristics – America has had great parties – They are extinct –…

Why The People May Strictly Be Said To Govern In The United States I have hitherto examined the institutions of the United States; I have passed their legislation in review, and I have depicted the present characteristics of political society in that country. But a sovereign power exists above these institutions and beyond these characteristic…

The Federal Constitution Part V Advantages Of The Federal System In General, And Its Special Utility In America Happiness and freedom of small nations – Power of great nations – Great empires favorable to the growth of civilization – Strength often the first element of national prosperity – Aim of the Federal system to unite…

The Federal Constitution Part IV Procedure Of The Federal Courts Natural weakness of the judiciary power in confederations – Legislators ought to strive as much as possible to bring private individuals, and not States, before the Federal Courts – How the Americans have succeeded in this – Direct prosecution of private individuals in the Federal…

The Federal Constitution Part III Re-election Of The President When the head of the executive power is re-eligible, it is the State which is the source of intrigue and corruption – The desire of being re-elected the chief aim of a President of the United States – Disadvantage of the system peculiar to America –…