Tocqueville’s Feminine Democracy (or, on Economic Courage).

Many commentators of late have bemoaned the demise of manliness in the modern world. This paper argues that manliness, understood as courage (andreia), is not in decline. Instead, it appears in another form. By turning to Tocqueville’s assessment of courage in America, it is demonstrated that what has been superceded is not courage and manliness in general, but the martial courage of the old European order. In America, Tocqueville sees what is in this paper called economic courage. Interpreting this aspect of Tocqueville’s thought reveals that the source of this new manliness lies in the American woman. From their deep adherence to the dogma of equality, American women establish and reinforce Tocqueville’s feminine democracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]