Full Idea
The people in themselves are only individuals; and the special reason why they need to be united under one government is that they may appear to advantage before foreigners.
Gist of Idea
The people are just individuals, and only present themselves as united to foreigners
Source
Alexis de Tocqueville (Democracy in America (abr Renshaw) [1840], 1.07)
Book Reference
Tocqueville,Alexis de: 'Democracy in America (abridged)', ed/tr. Renshaw,Patrick [Wordsworth 1998], p.53
A Reaction
I take this to be an observation on 1830s America, rather than a universal truth. It fits modern western societies rather well though.