民主与多数的专制--解读托克维尔的民主理论

托克维尔在《论美国的民主》中提出了多数的专制的著名论断,成为当代民主理论中的常见话题。许多学者从对多数的专制的反思走向对民主的否定,这是对托克维尔的这一著名论断的误读。事实上,他并没有因多数的专制的危险性而否定民主。既要防止多数的专制的危险,又要坚持人民主权的民主原则,这才是托克维尔的真实思想。

Democracy and Tyranny of the Majority:An Interpretation of Tocqueville''''s Theory of Democracy

Tocqueville proposes the concept of tyranny of the majority (TOM) in his Democracy in America, which has become a common topic in contemporary theories of democracy. Many scholars have come to reject democracy based on their contemplation of TOM. This paper argues that this is the result of misinterpretation of Tocqueville's theory. In fact, Tocqueville is not opposed to democracy because of the existence of TOM. His position is to adhere to the democratic principle of government by the people while preventing the dangerous TOM.