Alexis Charles Henri Clérel, comte de Tocqueville (29 July 1805 – 16 April 1859), commonly referred to as Tocqueville, was a French aristocrat, diplomat, political scientist, and historian. He is most celebrated for his seminal works Democracy in America (appearing in two volumes, 1835 and 1840) and The Old Regime and the Revolution (1856). In these works, he meticulously analysed the living standards and social conditions of individuals, alongside their interactions with the market and state in Western societies. Democracy in America, published following Tocqueville's explorations in the United States, is now regarded as a pioneering work of sociology and political science.

Tocqueville was deeply involved in French politics, initially under the July Monarchy (1830–1848) and subsequently during the Second Republic (1849–1851) following the February 1848 Revolution. After the coup by Louis Napoléon Bonaparte on 2 December 1851, he withdrew from political life and began focusing on The Old Regime and the Revolution. Through this work, Tocqueville argued that the French Revolution aimed to continue the modernization and centralization of the French state — a process that had started under King Louis XIV. He believed the Revolution's failure was due to the deputies' inexperience, who were overly committed to abstract Enlightenment ideals.

Identified as a classical liberal, Tocqueville championed parliamentary government while expressing skepticism towards the extremes of democracy. Throughout his tenure in parliament, he was associated with the centre-left before shifting to the centre-right, reflecting the complex and dynamic nature of his liberalism. This complexity has led to varied interpretations and admirers across the political spectrum.