How Did Burke Enter Tocqueville

Burke paints a frightening picture of progression by recounting the French Revolution. Kant uses a relatively abstract picture of history to argue for a societal ascension towards a utopian state. Tocqueville’s argument in Democracy in America lies between the extreme views of both Burke and Kant. With his progressive perspective in mind, Kant argues that human reason “acknowledges no limits to its projects” (Kant, 2). In contrast, Burke argues, “A spirit of innovation is generally the result of a selfish temper and confined views” (Burke, 10). Kant’s best life revolves around progression, whereas Burke’s best life revolves around tradition. Enter Tocqueville. After visiting and evaluating America, Tocqueville claims, “I confess that in America I saw more than America; I sought the image of democracy itself, with its inclinations, its character, its prejudices, and its passions, in order to learn what we have to fear or to hope from its progress” (Tocqueville, 8). The last part of this quote the key to unlock Tocqueville’s understanding of American democracy. America offered Tocqueville a clear picture of democracy, and in this clear picture of democracy Tocqueville was able to distinguish the value and the harm that comes with

After evaluating America’s government, Tocqueville recognized that in a democratic state it is impossible to remain stagnant. Unlike Burke, he does not believe the conditions of American democracy are conducive to perpetual sameness. However, he warns of America’s vulnerability to despotism and egotism. He also warns against faulty forms of democracy through recounting the democracy of France that was eventually led by their “lawless passions” (Tocqueville,