23. Democratic Statecraft: Tocqueville's Democracy in America

Introduction to Political Philosophy (PLSC 114)
Professor Smith discusses the moral and psychological components of the democratic state in the context of Tocqueville's Democracy in America. He goes on to explore the institutional development of the democratic state, the qualities of the democratic individual, and the psychological determinants of the democratic character. The ethic of self-interest is addressed, understood as an antidote to an ethic of fame and glory. Finally, Tocqueville is presented as a political educator and his views on the role of statesmen in a democratic age are expounded.
00:00 - Chapter 1. Moral and Psychological Features of the Democratic State
04:32 - Chapter 2. Moral and Psychological Features of the Democratic State: Compassion
15:17 - Chapter 3. Moral and Psychological Features of the Democratic State: Anxiety
22:19 - Chapter 4. Moral and Psychological Features of the Democratic State: Self-Interest
33:44 - Chapter 5. Democratic Statecraft
Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website: open.yale.edu/courses
This course was recorded in Fall 2006.