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Modern Democracy
- Modern democracy is built upon representation, not the ancient ideal of direct rule.
- Representation allows for a democratic form where people have more say over who represents them.
America's Democratic Experiment
- Tocqueville saw America as a unique experiment in democracy due to its lack of historical constraints and geographic isolation.
- Unlike Europe, America could experiment and make mistakes without facing immediate external threats.
American Volatility and Stability
- Tocqueville initially found American life chaotic but later discovered underlying stability.
- American equality fostered both volatility and a sense of community and shared values.