Democracy in America (Library of America #147)
Alexis de Tocqueville, a young aristocratic French lawyer, came to the United States in 1831 to study its penitentiary systems. His nine-month visit and subsequent reading and reflection resulted in Democracy in America (1835–40), a landmark masterpiece of political observation and analysis....
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Alexis de Tocqueville, a young aristocratic French lawyer, came to the United States in 1831 to study its penitentiary systems. His nine-month visit and subsequent reading and reflection resulted in Democracy in America (1835–40), a landmark masterpiece of political observation and analysis. Tocqueville vividly describes the unprecedented social equality he found in America and explores its implications for European society in the emerging modern era. His book provides enduring insight into the political consequences of widespread property ownership, the potential dangers to liberty inherent in majority rule, the importance of civil institutions in an individualistic culture dominated by the pursuit of material self-interest, and the vital role of religion in American life, while prophetically probing the deep differences between the free and slave states. The clear, fluid, and vigorous translation by Arthur Goldhammer is the first to fully capture Tocqueville’s achievements both as an accomplished literary stylist and as a profound political thinker.
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Format: hardcover
ISBN:
9781931082549 (1931082545)
Publish date: February 9th 2004
Publisher: Library of America
Pages no: 928
Edition language: English
Category:
Classics,
Non Fiction,
History,
Academic,
School,
Literature,
Politics,
Philosophy,
American History,
Sociology,
Political Science
The book's basis was a nine month visit to America by De Tocqueville in 1831, ostensibly to study America's prison system. It was an interesting time to visit America, half-way between the establishment of the constitution and the Civil War. In the course of the visit he met former president John Qu...
The book's basis was a nine month visit to America by De Tocqueville in 1831, ostensibly to study America's prison system. It was an interesting time to visit America, half-way between the establishment of the constitution and the Civil War. In the course of the visit he met former president John Qu...
ChronologyIntroduction & NotesFurther ReadingTranslator's Note--Democracy in AmericaNotes--Two Weeks in the Wilderness--Excursion to Lake Oneida
Really should be taught in High School. Fascinating read.
This is the one book that I read in the core that I would reccomend to anybody.