This article focuses on the relationship between democracy and education in the thought of Alexis de Tocqueville. According to de Tocqueville the progress of democracy as a political system throughout history is a universal; it is gradual and unavoidable. It also aims at equality among humankind. This idea is based on the existence of a common human nature that causes a definite morality; the Christian variety. For this author the idea of social and political freedom and the growth of a (...) healthy and democratic society are strongly linked to education for the development of personal and social virtues. As a result of this, the State must create social institutions with a double function. The first one is that it should protect the citizen against anything that might threaten his freedom. In addition the State should reduce all injustices and economic differences. Secondly, it must help each person to develop freely and use his own responsibility and his virtues within society. (shrink)

Alfonso López Quintás: Cuatro personalistas en busca de sentido, Madrid: Rialp 2009, 240 pp.