One of the most insightful and illuminating treatises ever written about the United States and its democracy was penned by the Frenchman Alexis de Tocqueville. Considered one of the brightest minds of the 19th century, Tocqueville’s “Democracy in America” is ranked as one of the top must-read books for those studying or seeking to understand the fundamentals of American political life, and the nature and role of equality and individualism within our democratic system.
Yet the young French sociologist and political theorist, who was only in his mid-20s when he traveled to the U.S. in 1831, came ostensibly to cover not its political system, but the young nation’s penal system. For around nine months he journeyed throughout the nation visiting prisons from Michigan to Louisiana. His travels even took him through Mobile.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.