The Fragility of Freedom: Tocqueville on Religion, Democracy, and the American Future

by Joshua Mitchell

Overview

In this fresh interpretation of Tocqueville's thought, Joshua Mitchell explores the dynamic interplay between religion and politics in American democracy.

Focusing on Democracy in America, The Fragility of Freedom examines Tocqueville's key works and argues that his analysis of democracy is ultimately rooted in an Augustinian view of human psychology. As much a work of political philosophy as of religion, The Fragility of Freedom argues for the importance of a political theology that recognizes moderation.

"An intelligent and sharply drawn portrait of a conservative Toqueville."—Anne C. Rose, Journal of American History

"I recommend this book as one of a very few to approach seriously the sources of Tocqueville's intellectual and moral greatness."—Peter Augustine Lawler, Journal of Politics

"Mitchell ably places Democracy in America in the long conversation of Western political and theological thought."—Wilfred M. McClay, First Things

"Learned and thought-provoking."—Peter Berkowitz, New Republic

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780226532080
Publisher:	University of Chicago Press
Publication date:	10/15/1995
Series:	Prehistoric Archeology and Ecology Ser.
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Joshua Mitchell is associate professor of government at Georgetown University. He is the author of Not by Reason Alone: Religion, History, and Identity in Early Modern Political Thought, also available from the University of Chicago Press.

Table of Contents

Preface
Chapter One
Introduction
1. The Augustinian Self
2. Antidotes to the Irrationalities of the Augustinian Self
3. Of the Embodiment and Disembodiment of Thought
4. Circularity of Cause and Effect
5. Of the Spillover Effects of One Sphere upon Another
6. Of Motion and Boundaries
7. Of New Beginnings and American Exceptionalism
Chapter Two
The Augustinian Self
1. Augustine and the Errancy from God
2. Hobbes and the Problem of Pride
3. Rousseau and the Errancy from Nature
4. Tocqueville and the Democratic Soul
5. The Enduring Power of the Augustinian Self: Nietzsche and the Democratic Age
Chapter Three
The Politics of Competition
1. The Purpose of Politics
2. Of Scale and Participation
3. The Interrelation of Political and Economic Participation
4. Of Associations
5. Of Newspapers: The Solution to the Problem of Site and Authority
6. Of Moderation and Motion: Mother Nature and Father Industriousness
7. When Boundaries Are Transgressed
8. Of Empire
Chapter Four
Christianity and Democracy
1. The Progress of History and Its Arrests: The Depth of Identity
2. The Problem of Difference in a Democracy
3. Christianity as Palliative for Envy and Difference
4. The Indirect Effects of Christianity upon Democracy
5. Of Long-Term Goals
6. The Right Relationship between Politics and Religion
7. The Permanence of Religion
Chapter Five
Conclusion
1. The New Political Science
2. Asking Too Much of Government, Asking Too Much of "the World"
3. What Is to Be Done?
4. Concluding Remarks
Bibliography

Editorial Reviews

Mitchell (government, Georgetown U.) offers a fresh interpretation of Alexis de Tocqueville's thought, exploring the dynamic interplay between religion and politics in American democracy. He examines Tocqueville's major works, arguing that his analysis of democracy is rooted in an Augustinian view of human psychology, and reaffirms his belief that freedom is held together by the institutions of family, religion, and associational life in addition to commerce. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

I recommend this book as one of a very few to approach seriously the sources of Tocqueville's intellectual and moral greatness.
— Journal of Politics

Peter Augustine Lawler