what's Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville about?

Question

for my global class, we have a project about that book and I read some of it but it doesnt make sense.

what's the book about and what imapce did it have?

Answer 1

Alexis, Comte de Tocqueville was a French liberal politician and writer. As a magistrate he obtained a commission (1831) from the French government to study the penal system of the U.S. The chief purpose of his eighteen-month journey into all parts of the United States was to study American democratic ideas and practices.

In 1835 he wrote “De la democratic en Amerique” (Democracy in America). It is a dispassionate examination of the American political and social systems and their shaping effect on American manners and intellect. However, he could have given additional consideration to new economic forces and to the Industrial Revolution.

Answer 2

Alexis de Tocqueville's vision about democracy in the USA is different from what it is today. Even the Federalist papers make note of the dangers and rightfully so. It would make a most interesting class project for a serious student of democracy. You will have to do your homework on this one, but well worth it. The face of democracy has changed.