The aspect of American society is animated, because men and things are always changing; but it is monotonous, because all the changes are alike.
Alexis De TocquevilleRead
It is an axiom of political science in the United States that the sole means of neutralizing the effects of newspapers is to multiply their number.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Increasing the number of newspapers can help balance out their influence and effects on public opinion.
Alexis De Tocqueville's quote emphasizes the belief that in a democratic society, the proliferation of newspapers serves as a counterbalance to the influence that any single newspaper may wield over public opinion. By diversifying sources of information, the public can form a more well-rounded understanding of issues, thus neutralizing any potential biases from individual publications.
Themes
NewspapersPolitical ScienceOpinionDemocracyInformation
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about media influence, one might quote De Tocqueville to illustrate the importance of diverse media outlets.
More from Alexis De Tocqueville
All quotes βDemocratic communities have a natural taste for freedom: left to themselves they will seek it, cherish it, and view any deprivation of it with regret. But for equality their passion is ardent, insatiable, incessant, invincible: they call for equality in freedom; and if they cannot obtain that, they still call for equality in slavery.
Alexis De TocquevilleRead
Religion, which never intervenes directly in the government of American society, should therefore be considered as the first of their political institutions
Alexis De TocquevilleRead
The surface of American society is covered with a layer of democratic paint, but from time to time one can see the old aristocratic colours breaking through.
Alexis De TocquevilleRead
The Indian knew how to live without wants, to suffer without complaint, and to die singing.
Alexis De TocquevilleRead
Grant me thirty years of equal division of inheritances and a free press, and I will provide you with a republic.
Alexis De TocquevilleRead
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