Abstract
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.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 113-136 |
| Number of pages | 24 |
| Journal | Politics and Religion Journal |
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2019 |
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Keywords
- Alexis de Tocqueville
- Church and state
- Democracy
- Straussian hermeneutics
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Religious studies
- Sociology and Political Science
Cite this
Tocqueville's theologico-political predicament : Leo Strauss, religion and democracy in America. / Albert, Craig D.
In: Politics and Religion Journal, Vol. 13, No. 1, 01.01.2019, p. 113-136.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Tocqueville's theologico-political predicament
T2 - Leo Strauss, religion and democracy in America
AU - Albert, Craig D
PY - 2019/1/1
Y1 - 2019/1/1
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - Alexis de Tocqueville
KW - Church and state
KW - Democracy
KW - Straussian hermeneutics
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85066990439&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85066990439
VL - 13
SP - 113
EP - 136
JO - Politics and Religion Journal
JF - Politics and Religion Journal
SN - 1820-6581
IS - 1
ER -