Democracy in America, by Alexis de Tocqueville: A reading for the history of education

Abstract

The 19th century inaugurates comparative studies. Tocqueville was a comparatist and situated himself at the different levels of social reality – from the micro to macro elements, in order to finally integrate these elements in a global relation. He is considered a pioneer as well as a classic of comparative sociology. In the areas of education and history of education the work of Tocqueville is significant for the studies of comparative education. This essay presents the author and his work, and analyzes some key concepts for the understanding of the history of education in the 19th century, i.e., for the consolidation of a project of public education – universal, gratis, mandatory, lay education for all, in which the state takes on the role of the educator, trying to govern the spirits by words and forms, especially through the school.

Key words: 19th century, public education, comparative education, comparative history of education.