Use this URL to cite or link to this record in EThOS: | https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.244500 |
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Title: | Tocqueville : the theorist of democratic modernity. | ||||
Author: | Malakos, Apostolos. |
ISNI:
0000 0001 3617 2881
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Awarding Body: | London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London) | ||||
Current Institution: | London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London) | ||||
Date of Award: | 1996 | ||||
Availability of Full Text: |
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Abstract: | |||||
The thesis is a study of the work of Alexis de Tocqueville
written in the light of the current debate about the intellectual
origins and ideological content of modernity. The central argument
is that Tocqueville should be seen first and foremost as one of the
most perceptive and original theorists of modernity. Tocqueville's
work has been underestimated and minsunderstood. largely because
the complexity of his theoretical project has not been given the credit
it merits.
To sustain these central claims two complimentary arguments
are advanced. First. to understand fully the broadness and depth of
Tocqueville's analysis of democratic modernity requires appreciation
of the importance of one theoretical and one methodological break
in his work. The former occurs when Tocqueville is preparing the
second volume of Democracy in America. From this book onwards
his agenda is radicalized moving beyond the aristocratic liberalism of
the first volume. The methodological break is evident in the content
of the Ancien Regime and the French Revolution. in which. despite a
thematic continuity with the second volume of Democracy in
America, Tocqueville presents a much more elaborate analysis of the
emergence of democratic modernity and the specifically modern
relationship between the public and the private.
Second. a full appreciation of Tocqueville's originality emerges
when his thought is systematically compared with the thought of
some other modern and contemporary theorists of modernity. In the
thesis Tocqueville's work is read in parallel to the work of another
major theorist of modernity. Max Weber and a lot of thematic and
substantive similarities between their thought are suggested.
Tocqueville's work is also read in parallel to the works of two
sympathetic critics of modernity. Jurgen Habermas and Hans
Blumemberg and two rather unsympathetic critics. Zygmunt
Bauman and Michel Foucault. The reading of his work within the
intellectual framework of his time is not sufficient. although it is
necessary. since Tocqueville's novelty allowed him to go beyond the
problematic of his intellectual environment.
Last. but not least. besides making extensive use of the
secondary literature. and constructively criticizing it. the thesis
provides its own distinctive reading of Tocqueville's work.
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Supervisor: | Not available | Sponsor: | Not available | ||
Qualification Name: | Thesis (Ph.D.) | Qualification Level: | Doctoral | ||
EThOS ID: | uk.bl.ethos.244500 | DOI: | Not available | ||
Keywords: | Philosophy | ||||
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