Alexis de Tocqueville and Max Weber. The possibility of democracy; Between despotism and bureaucracy

In this article we are concerned with an analysis of the modern crisis of democracy. This aim should be pursued through the related works of Alexis de Tocqueville and Max Weber. The study begins with the claim that both authors, not only are concerned with the analysis of the rising mass democracy, but furthermore they outline the main tendencies of this new form of society. On the one hand, there is a proclivity of the contemporary systems to enter into what could be denominated "individualist despotism". On the other hand, the underpinning of the plebiscitary democracy runs through an increasing "bureaucratization", which remains on the intensive process of instrumental rationality.