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Single Idea 22681

[filed under theme 25. Social Practice / A. Freedoms / 3. Free speech ]

Full Idea

I approve of the liberty of the press from a consideration more of the evils it prevents than of the advantages it ensures.

Gist of Idea

The liberty of the press is more valuable for what it prevents than what it promotes

Source

Alexis de Tocqueville (Democracy in America (abr Renshaw) [1840], 1.10)

Book Ref

Tocqueville,Alexis de: 'Democracy in America (abridged)', ed/tr. Renshaw,Patrick [Wordsworth 1998], p.78


A Reaction

He accepts the freedom of the press as inevitable in a democracy, but he found U.S. newspapers to be nearly as bad then as they are now.


The 15 ideas from 'Democracy in America (abr Renshaw)'

Aristocracy is constituted by inherited landed property [Tocqueville]
Slavery undermines the morals and energy of a society [Tocqueville]
It is admirable to elevate the humble to the level of the great, but the opposite is depraved [Tocqueville]
Equality can only be established by equal rights for all (or no rights for anyone) [Tocqueville]
In Europe it is thought that local government is best handled centrally [Tocqueville]
Wherever there is a small community, the association of the people is natural [Tocqueville]
In American judges rule according to the Constitution, not the law [Tocqueville]
An election, and its lead up time, are always a national crisis [Tocqueville]
The people are just individuals, and only present themselves as united to foreigners [Tocqueville]
Vast empires are bad for well-being and freedom, though they may promote glory [Tocqueville]
People would be much happier and freer in small nations [Tocqueville]
A monarchical family is always deeply concerned with the interests of the state [Tocqueville]
The liberty of the press is more valuable for what it prevents than what it promotes [Tocqueville]
Universal suffrage is no guarantee of wise choices [Tocqueville]
Despots like to see their own regulations ignored, by themselves and their agents [Tocqueville]