Alexis de Tocqueville Quote

"...above this race of men stands an immense and tutelary power, which takes upon itself alone to secure their gratifications, and to watch over their fate. That power is absolute, minute, regular, provident, and mild. It would be like the authority of a parent, if, like that authority, its object was to prepare them for manhood; but it seeks, on the contrary, to keep them in perpetual childhood..."

by:	Alexis de Tocqueville [Alexis Charles Henri Maurice Clerel, le Comte de Tocqueville] (1805-1859) French historian
Source:	From “Democracy In America” by Alexis De Tocqueville, Chapter VI: “What Sort Of Despotism Democratic Nations Have To Fear”
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Categories:	Authority, Dependence, Oppression, Power, Statism, Children
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Perpetual childhood is what our welfare programs are all about. The government is all about keeping a large number of people dependent on politicians, and they do a good job of it.  -- jim k, Austin, Tx      1
The obscene cradle to grave religion that is socialism (communism to fascism, progressivism to neo-conservativism, liberal to conservative, etc.) promotes a dummied down patron collective by bread and circus. History repeats itself but once again.  -- Mike, Norwalk      1
Only one objection. Even in Alexis's time, the state was not "mild".  -- Matthew, Peoples Republik of Kalifornia
No doubt a religious man , of one of the largest denominations on the planet. And they do believe in a dominant state, run by their religion. Rome and their patience has reached in again to the fabric of our nation through denominationalism, and misinformation. Children must loose their freedom to understand what it is. So do we learn to trace its path and origin. Ancient Doctrines . And I am not religious ! But do believe in the God of the KJB. The rock upon which the republic rest. Had to be written down some were didn't they. Some of the oldest books on the planet. Not long after it was published in 1611 our nation was founded. Not long after 1611 my family moved here.  -- watchman 13, USA
"above this race of men stands an immense and tutelary power, which takes upon itself alone to secure their gratifications, and to watch over their fate. That power is absolute, minute, regular, provident, and mild. It would be like the authority of a parent, if, like that authority, its object was to prepare them for manhood; but it seeks, on the contrary, to keep them in perpetual childhood...” I hate to admit but I don't know what Power Tocqueville is referring to; Is he talking about God or the State?  -- Warrdoc, Castro Valley, ca.
The source has been updated.  Tocqueville prefaces by saying: "I seek to trace the novel features under which despotism may appear in the world. The first thing that strikes the observation is an innumerable multitude of men all equal and alike, incessantly endeavoring to procure the petty and paltry pleasures with which they glut their lives."  -- Editor, Liberty Quotes      1

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