Tocqueville Road Trip from The Economist

1. Game of chance

Tocqueville Road Trip from The Economist

Show Notes

John Prideaux, The Economist’s US Editor, embarks on a roadtrip to see how America’s democracy is faring in the era of Trump.

His companion is a long-dead French aristocrat called Alexis De Tocqueville, author of arguably the best book ever written about America.

When Tocqueville arrived in New York in 1831, it was a small, low-slung city where pigs roamed the streets. But he was able to see past that—to a vision of the future.

Arriving in Manhattan today, John finds cause for concern, even among the island’s wealthiest residents.

Guests and Hosts

John Prideaux, The Economist’s US Editor Babara Tober, Philanthropist and former Editor of Brides magazine John Catsimatidis, CEO of Red Apple Group

Topics

Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America ‘Equality of conditions’ at 250 The election of Zohran Mamdani Declining faith in American democracy

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Tocqueville saw America’s faith in its own democracy as a vital force. But these days the majority of Americans think the country is headed in the wrong direction. Can a group of maximum security prisoners in Sing Sing offer a vision of how to get back on track?

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Nearly two centuries ago, a French aristocrat called Alexis De Tocqueville went on a trip around America and wrote up his findings in a book called Democracy in America. Many people still think it’s the most insightful thing ever written about the country. John Prideaux, The Economist’s US Editor, is one of them.

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