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Democracy in America — Volume 1: Chapter IX: Why The People May Strictly Be Said To Govern In The United

Democracy in America — Volume 1
Chapter IX: Why The People May Strictly Be Said To Govern In The United
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table of contents
  1. The Project Gutenberg eBook of Democracy in America — Volume 1, by Alexis de Tocqueville
  2. DEMOCRACY IN AMERICA
  3. Translated by Henry Reeve, Esq.
  4. Contents
  5. Book One
  6. Introductory Chapter
  7. Chapter I: Exterior Form Of North America
  8. Chapter Summary
  9. Chapter II: Origin Of The Anglo-Americans—Part I
  10. Chapter Summary
  11. Chapter II: Origin Of The Anglo-Americans—Part II
  12. Chapter III: Social Conditions Of The Anglo-Americans
  13. Chapter Summary
  14. Chapter IV: The Principle Of The Sovereignty Of The People In America
  15. Chapter Summary
  16. Chapter V: Necessity Of Examining The Condition Of The States—Part I
  17. Chapter V: Necessity Of Examining The Condition Of The States—Part II
  18. Chapter V: Necessity Of Examining The Condition Of The States—Part III
    1. Legislative Power Of The State
  19. Chapter VI: Judicial Power In The United States
  20. Chapter Summary
  21. Chapter VII: Political Jurisdiction In The United States
  22. Chapter Summary
  23. Chapter VIII: The Federal Constitution—Part I
  24. Chapter Summary
  25. Summary Of The Federal Constitution
  26. Chapter VIII: The Federal Constitution—Part II
  27. Chapter VIII: The Federal Constitution—Part III
    1. Re-election Of The President
  28. Chapter VIII: The Federal Constitution—Part IV
    1. Procedure Of The Federal Courts
  29. Chapter VIII: The Federal Constitution—Part V
  30. Chapter IX: Why The People May Strictly Be Said To Govern In The United
  31. Chapter X: Parties In The United States
  32. Chapter Summary
  33. Parties In The United States
  34. Chapter XI: Liberty Of The Press In The United States
  35. Chapter Summary
  36. Chapter XII: Political Associations In The United States
  37. Chapter Summary
  38. Chapter XIII: Government Of The Democracy In America—Part I
  39. Chapter XIII: Government Of The Democracy In America—Part II
    1. Instability Of The Administration In The United States
  40. Chapter XIII: Government Of The Democracy In America—Part III
  41. Chapter XIV: Advantages American Society Derive From Democracy—Part I
  42. Chapter XIV: Advantages American Society Derive From Democracy—Part II
    1. Respect For The Law In The United States
  43. Chapter XV: Unlimited Power Of Majority, And Its Consequences—Part I
  44. Chapter Summary
  45. Chapter XV: Unlimited Power Of Majority, And Its Consequences—Part II
    1. Tyranny Of The Majority
  46. Chapter XVI: Causes Mitigating Tyranny In The United States—Part I
  47. Chapter Summary
  48. Chapter XVI: Causes Mitigating Tyranny In The United States—Part II
    1. Trial By Jury In The United States Considered As A Political Institution
  49. Chapter XVII: Principal Causes Maintaining The Democratic Republic—Part I
  50. Chapter XVII: Principal Causes Maintaining The Democratic Republic—Part II
  51. Chapter XVII: Principal Causes Maintaining The Democratic Republic—Part III
  52. Chapter XVII: Principal Causes Maintaining The Democratic Republic—Part IV
  53. Chapter XVIII: Future Condition Of Three Races In The United States—Part I
  54. Chapter XVIII: Future Condition Of Three Races—Part II
  55. Chapter XVIII: Future Condition Of Three Races—Part III
  56. Chapter XVIII: Future Condition Of Three Races—Part IV
  57. Chapter XVIII: Future Condition Of Three Races—Part V
  58. Chapter XVIII: Future Condition Of Three Races—Part VI
  59. Chapter XVIII: Future Condition Of Three Races—Part VII
  60. Chapter XVIII: Future Condition Of Three Races—Part VIII
  61. Chapter XVIII: Future Condition Of Three Races—Part IX
  62. Chapter XVIII: Future Condition Of Three Races—Part X
  63. Conclusion
  64. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE

Chapter IX: 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 features which may destroy or modify them at its pleasure—I mean that of the people. It remains to be shown in what manner this power, which regulates the laws, acts: its propensities and its passions remain to be pointed out, as well as the secret springs which retard, accelerate, or direct its irresistible course; and the effects of its unbounded authority, with the destiny which is probably reserved for it.

In America the people appoints the legislative and the executive power, and furnishes the jurors who punish all offences against the laws. The American institutions are democratic, not only in their principle but in all their consequences; and the people elects its representatives directly, and for the most part annually, in order to ensure their dependence. The people is therefore the real directing power; and although the form of government is representative, it is evident that the opinions, the prejudices, the interests, and even the passions of the community are hindered by no durable obstacles from exercising a perpetual influence on society. In the United States the majority governs in the name of the people, as is the case in all the countries in which the people is supreme. The majority is principally composed of peaceful citizens who, either by inclination or by interest, are sincerely desirous of the welfare of their country. But they are surrounded by the incessant agitation of parties, which attempt to gain their co-operation and to avail themselves of their support.

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Chapter X: Parties In The United States
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