Indicators of the social contract in the ideas of A. de Tocqueville
https://doi.org/10.28995/2073-6401-2023-4-100-110
Abstract
The paper provides an evidence-based substantiation for the existence of the ideas of a social contract in the works by Alexis de Tocqueville. The author analyzes the conditions of a prosperous state in the context of a democratic regime idealized by Tocqueville: equality of conditions for the existence of people, freedom, functioning institutions of civil society, patriotic spirit, religious independence, the principle of democracy. He also formulated specific indicators of social consent according to A. de Tocqueville, among which he considers the level of education and the equalization of people’s living conditions to be the fundamental ones. Based on the ideas of A. de Tocqueville, the author of the article considers the vices of a democratic society that provoke negative consequences and thus hinder the development of social harmony: selfishness, isolation, one’s own independence and concern for personal well-being. The final block presents the predictions of the great thinker, which are relevant in the modern world.
Keywords
Alexis de Tocqueville,
social contract,
social accord,
democracy,
equality,
freedom,
education,
patriotism
Supporting agencies: The article was carried out in the framework of the Russian Science Foundation grant, no. 23-18-00093, project “The fate of the social contract in Russia. The evolution of ideas and lessons of implementation”.
About the Author
M. S. Korotkova
Russian State University for the Humanities
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Marina S. Korotkova, Cand. of Sci. (Sociology), associate professor
bld. 6, Miusskaya Sguare, Moscow, 125047
References
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Review
For citations:
Korotkova M.S. Indicators of the social contract in the ideas of A. de Tocqueville. RSUH/RGGU BULLETIN. Series Philosophy. Social Studies. Art Studies. 2023;(4):100-110. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.28995/2073-6401-2023-4-100-110
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