# Alexis de Tocqueville — The Conscience of a Conservative character guide

> Alexis de Tocqueville in The Conscience of a Conservative by Barry Goldwater.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Alexis de Tocqueville, de Tocqueville

**First appearance:** 0004-iii-states-rights

## Who they are

French political thinker quoted on American democracy and individualism.

## In the story

### [II: The Perils of Power](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_conscience_of_a_conservative_se/chapters/ii-the-perils-of-power)

Invoked for his prediction that American democracy would produce 'guardians' and lead to voluntary tutelage.

### [VIII: The Welfare State](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_conscience_of_a_conservative_se/chapters/viii-the-welfare-state)

De Tocqueville's concept of the 'guardian society' is referenced as a warning against the inevitable outcome of welfarism.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_conscience_of_a_conservative_se/characters/alexis_de_tocqueville
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_conscience_of_a_conservative_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_conscience_of_a_conservative_se/characters