The Paradox Of De Tocqueville

The tricky thing about de Tocquville is his mixture of dated information and insight that spans ages. On page 61 he states that each state is almost an autonomous nation--certainly no longer true. Just a couple of pages later, he says that local governments provide citizens with a chance to enact their democratic spirit and see the process in action. Earlier today an ASG candidate came campaigning to my door. This observation is certainly still true.