“Despotism may govern without faith, but liberty cannot”

As Americans, along with our American neighbors to the north, celebrate our respective holidays, we would do well to ponder Tocqueville’s opinion that liberty cannot govern a people without faith. Nothing could be more truly patriotic than to be faithfully present in our countries as salt and light in our communities.  With “glowing hearts” from the work of the Spirit (Jeremiah 31:31), let us stand on guard for the faith and contend for Christ together.

In 1830 a 26 year old Frenchman named Alexander Tocqueville was commissioned to travel to America and evaluate the prison system.  He returned and wrote his famous, Democracy in America, an extended reflection on what was contributing to America’s greatness.

One of the things that Tocqueville argued was that for America to continue in greatness it was essential that the faith of the American people continue.  He contended that the reason political freedom in America was not abused was because the faith of the country imposed needed boundaries.

Below is an excerpt from his chapter, “Accidental or Providential Causes Which Contribute to Maintain the Democratic Republic in the United States.”

Despotism may govern without faith, but liberty cannot. Religion is much more necessary in the republic which they set forth in glowing colors than in the monarchy which they attack; it is more needed in democratic republics than in any others. How is it possible that society should escape destruction if the moral tie is not strengthened in proportion as the political tie is relaxed? And what can be done with a people who are their own masters if they are not submissive to the Deity?