ABSTRACT
The impact of Tocqueville` s political thought in the Romanian Principalities began soon after 1830, with the translation of On the penitentiary system in the United States and its application in France (written with Gustave de Beaumont). In the second half of the XIXth century, the Romanian public discovered Democracy in America, which became his best known work and influenced politicians, opinion leaders and intellectuals. The concept of ”tyranny of the majority” or the meaning of decentralization were often directly connected, in the political discourse, with the work of the French political philosopher. My study concentrated mainly on the reception of Tocqueville in the conservative milieus, in accordance to my research project – Intellectual sources of the Romanian political conservatism (1859-1918): readings and receptions - without neglecting though the liberal politicians and press. The influence of Tocqueville was regarded not as the result of a mimetic reception, but as a continuous adaptation of ideas to concrete political positions, to precise political issues. His authority was seen also as a source of legitimacy: the intellectual interest for Tocqueville was closely linked to the pursuit of political power.
Keywords: Tocqueville, Reception, Conservatism, Liberalism.