Disclosed is an active matrix liquid crystal display device designed mainly for alternating electric current drive, in which orientation processing (monostabilization) is performed by a direct current power supply or a direct current voltage applied to a ferroelectric liquid crystal. The liquid crystal is made to respond, and is made monostable while a voltage level is maintained by a storage capacitor. In addition, the liquid crystal may also be made monostable while maintaining a gate clock pulse at a constant level. After forming a transparent conductive film on an element substrate, elements such as TFTs are formed. An electric field is applied by a direct current voltage source between an electrode formed on an opposing substrate and the transparent conductive film. An electric field is applied by a direct current voltage source between the electrode formed on the opposing substrate and the transparent conductive film formed on the back side of the element substrate.