The Contribution of Alexis de Tocqueville in the Development of the Theory of Revolution

Abstract

Appeal to the works of Alexis de Tocqueville’s seems relevant, as today the problem of the relationship between revolutionary and evolutionary development of society is on the agenda in many regions of the world. The contradictions within societies cause of the protest action, which under certain conditions can develop into revolutionary events. The purpose of this article is to analyze the views of the French political philosopher and politician of the XIX century and the definition of his contribution to the development of the theory of revolution. A careful reading of the text of his book “The Old Regime and the Revolution”, as well as works by French and Russian authors on the French revolution helps to reconstruct the process of maturation of the revolution in the bowels of French society. The study revealed the original ideas of the French author that became the basis of the established view on the French revolution and recent interpretations of the described process in the works of other authors. The findings, are in line with modern ideas about the significance of the French revolution put the question about the importance of the contribution of A. de Tocqueville in the development of theoretical bases of studying the phenomenon of revolution. The above study is outline for more basic research development of theoretical studies of the revolutionary process and the role of the writings of such political thinkers as A. de Tocqueville, as well as to their understanding.