More on voluntary association & politcal association.

A perfect example of how we show our associations everyday.

"One must not shut one's eyes to the fact that unlmited freedom of association for political ends is, of all forms of libery, the last that a nation can sustain.  While it may not actually lead it into anarchy, it does constantly bring it to the verge thereof.  But this form of freedom, howsoever dangerous, does provide guarantees in one direction; in countries where associations are free, secret societies are unknown.  There are factions in America, but no conspirators."  - Tocqueville, Democracy in America (page 193)

 I was a bit surprised by Tocqueville in this chapter.  It read less like a love letter to Democracy and more like a critical analysis of political associations of citizens in the United States and how that translated to the quality of elected officials.  On the this subject, Tocqueville stated, "When I arrived in the United States I discovered with astonishment that good qualities were common among the governed but rare among the rulers." (197).  He faulted the American people for this by stating  "They are bound always to make hasty judgments and to seize on the most prominent characteristics."
(Page 198).

I hope that I'm not taking things out of context, I'm just trying to understand how Tocqueville could make these statements and still admire American democracy.