Repairing DemocracyHabits of the Heart: Individualism and Commitment in American Life. By Robert N. Bellah , Richard Madsen , William M. Sullivan , Ann Swindler , and Steven M. Tipton The Lost Soul of American Politics: Virtue, Self-Interest, and the Foundations of Liberalism. By John P. Diggens The Naked Public Square: Religion and Democracy in America. By Richard John Neuhaus The Reconstruction of Patriotism: Education for Civic Consciousness. By Morris Janowitz Dimensions of Tolerance: What Americans Believe about Civil Liberties. By Herbert McClosky and Alida Brill The American Ethos: Public Attitudes toward Capitalism and Democracy. By Herbert McClosky and John Zaller

Polity ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 343-354
Author(s):  
Robert N. Seidel
1985 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 328
Author(s):  
Barbara Hargrove ◽  
Richard John Neuhaus

Author(s):  
Craig Douglas Albert

This paper analyzes Tocqueville’s Democracy in America in a new light. When viewed through Leo Strauss’ conception of the theologico-political problem, a novel reading of Tocqueville is presented. This interpretation argues that one of Democracy’s major themes concerns reason versus revelation. Within such a reading, it contends that Tocqueville’s seminal contribution to the history of political philosophy contained within it his reluctant announcement that religion may not be able to cure the social ills liberal democracy brings with it. Mainly, this is because Tocqueville fears democracy will contribute to the decline of religion itself. Tocqueville subtlety reveals his concerns over religion’s possible inadequacy, offers explanations thereof, and postulates another concept as a mitigating tool that has similar moderating effects on democratic defects: self-interest well understood.


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