Theory and practice of democracy. Tocqueville's empirical concept of a 'New Science of Politics'

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Harald Bluhm; Dr. Skadi Siiri Krause
• Subject Area: Political Science ; Modern and Contemporary History
• Term: from 2012 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 227707203

The aim of the research project is the development of Tocquevilles dynamic understanding of democracy, which influences the democracy debate to this day. The focus of his empirical sciences of democracy is on new political and social forms. It combines both practical observations and theoretical conceptualizations. Fundamental to the project is the analysis of three major fields of discourse, in which Tocqueville has developed his conception of democracy and political knowledge as a link between theory and practice. These include, first, the political-parliamentary debates, in which Tocqueville attended as a delegate, expert and government representative. Then there is the journalistic debate about society and culture in America. In this Tocquevilles view of America and its dynamic development of democracy occupies a singular position. Finally, the academic discourse of democracy in France, England and America, in which Tocquevilles theory has developed. During the project, new important debates have shown, including the dispute over the substantive orientation of the Académie des sciences et sociales, the political and parliamentary debates on local self-government and the political interpretation of the French Revolution under a historical and philosophical perspective. The presentation of this core debates that are relevant to an understanding of Tocquevilles work, which always combines theoretical arguments with practical political reform proposals, has particular importance to the project. That makes this proposal necessary. The representation of these debates offer previously insights in Tocquevilles research work and institutional connections and open far-reaching insights into his social networks.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants