POL1040 – Tocqueville Worksheet
Answer the following questions as best you can based on the readings.
A phrase or a sentence
(or two) is sufficient to answer all of these questions, however you may go into more detail if
you would like.
1) What are
mores
, according to Tocqueville?
What
mores
are important to the maintenance of
America democracy according to him?
According to Tocqueville, mores are habits that guide participating in social and civil
interactions.
2) What are equality of conditions according to Tocqueville, and why are they important?
According to Tocquevillle equality of conditions has do with education and mores. These are
important because it shapes the law and influences the government has. Also creating opinions.
3) Why does Tocqueville choose Puritan New England as his “point of departure?”
Tocqueville chooses this location because they had the intent to create a brand new society with
equality of conditions.
4) Why are associations important to democracy in America, according to Tocqueville?
According to Tocqueville, associations are important to democracy in America because they
allow the election of politicians, allows people to make actions as a whole and allowing
politicians to know what the people care for.
5) Describe “self-interest rightly understood” and its import in America, according to
Tocqueville.
How is it different than civic virtue?
