Abstract

GARZON VALLEJO, Iván. Secularism: Constitutional Design of the State. Tocqueville’s Point of View. Opin. jurid. [online]. 2009, vol.8, n.16, pp.169-181. ISSN 1692-2530.

The study of Alexis de Tocqueville’s work usually emphasizes compatibility between religion and democracy. From his direct experience in the United States (narrated in his book Democracy in America), this statement is functional when it intends to lighten post-revolutionary French political context. This article is intended to read Tocqueville’s works in the light of a contemporary political-religious reality, suggesting that works of this XIX century author outline the most meaningful theoretical elements of secularism as a constitutional design of the State; that is, separation of Church and State; and acknowledgement of the person as the basis of such constitutional design. Tocqueville’s perspective combines sociological, juridical, and philosophical-political approaches, thus giving some hints for interpreting the renowned secular State.

Keywords : Secularization; State; secularism; democracy; Tocqueville; secular State.

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