The Fragility of Freedom: Tocqueville on

In this fresh interpretation of Tocqueville's thought, Joshua Mitchell explores the dynamic interplay between religion and politics in American democracy. Focusing on Democracy in America, The Fragility of Freedom examines Tocqueville's key works and argues that his analysis of democracy is ultimately rooted in an Augustinian view of human psychology. As much a work of political philosophy as of religion, The Fragility of Freedom argues for the importance of a political theology that recognizes moderation. "An intelligent and sharply drawn portrait of a conservative Toqueville."--Anne C. Rose, Journal of American History "I recommend this book as one of a very few to approach seriously the sources of Tocqueville's intellectual and moral greatness."--Peter Augustine Lawler, Journal of Politics "Mitchell ably places Democracy in America in the long conversation of Western political and theological thought."--Wilfred M. McClay, First Things "Learned and thought-provoking."--Peter Berkowitz, New Republic

Joshua Mitchell is associate professor of government at Georgetown University. He is the author of Not by Reason Alone: Religion, History, and Identity in Early Modern Political Thought, also available from the University of Chicago Press.

Preface
Introduction
The Augustinian Self
Antidotes to the Irrationalities of the Augustinian Self
Of the Embodiment and Disembodiment of Thought
Circularity of Cause and Effect
Of the Spillover Effects of One Sphere upon Another
Of Motion and Boundaries
Of New Beginnings and American Exceptionalism
The Augustinian Self
Augustine and the Errancy from God
Hobbes and the Problem of Pride
Rousseau and the Errancy from Nature
Tocqueville and the Democratic Soul
The Enduring Power of the Augustinian Self: Nietzsche and the Democratic Age
The Politics of Competition
The Purpose of Politics
Of Scale and Participation
The Interrelation of Political and Economic Participation
Of Associations
Of Newspapers: The Solution to the Problem of Site and Authority
Of Moderation and Motion: Mother Nature and Father Industriousness
When Boundaries Are Transgressed
Of Empire
Christianity and Democracy
The Progress of History and Its Arrests: The Depth of Identity
The Problem of Difference in a Democracy
Christianity as Palliative for Envy and Difference
The Indirect Effects of Christianity upon Democracy
Of Long-Term Goals
The Right Relationship between Politics and Religion
The Permanence of Religion
Conclusion
The New Political Science
Asking Too Much of Government, Asking Too Much of "the World"
What Is to Be Done?
Concluding Remarks
Bibliography
Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.

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The Fragility of Freedom: Tocqueville on Religion, Democracy, and the American Future

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials