Tocqueville's theologico-political predicament: Leo Strauss, religion and democracy in America

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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 languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)113-136
Number of pages24
JournalPolitics and Religion Journal
Volume13
Issue number1
StatePublished - 2019

Keywords

  • Alexis de Tocqueville
  • Church and state
  • Democracy
  • Straussian hermeneutics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Religious studies
  • Sociology and Political Science

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