Ratings12
Average rating4
*De La Démocratie en Amérique* (published in two volumes, the first in 1835 and the second in 1840) is a classic French text by Alexis de Tocqueville. Its title translates as *On Democracy in America*, but English translations are usually simply entitled *Democracy in America*. In the book, Tocqueville examines the democratic revolution that he believed had been occurring over the previous several hundred years.
In 1831, Alexis de Tocqueville and Gustave de Beaumont were sent by the French government to study the American prison system. In his later letters Tocqueville indicates that he and Beaumont used their official business as a pretext to study American society instead. They arrived in New York City in May of that year and spent nine months traveling the United States, studying the prisons, and collecting information on American society, including its religious, political, and economic character. The two also briefly visited Canada, spending a few days in the summer of 1831 in what was then Lower Canada (modern-day Quebec) and Upper Canada (modern-day Ontario).
After they returned to France in February 1832, Tocqueville and Beaumont submitted their report, *Du système pénitentiaire aux États-Unis et de son application en France*, in 1833. When the first edition was published, Beaumont was working on another book, *Marie, ou, L'esclavage aux Etats-Unis* (two volumes, 1835), a social critique and novel describing the separation of races in a moral society and the conditions of slaves in the United States. Before finishing *Democracy in America*, Tocqueville believed that Beaumont's study of the United States would prove more comprehensive and penetrating.
Series
2 primary booksDe la Démocratie en Amérique is a 2-book series with 2 primary works first released in 1835 with contributions by Alexis de Tocqueville and Henry Reeve.
Reviews with the most likes.
This was an interesting read given it was originally published in 1835. It offers an impartial point of view of life and politics in America at that time. The array of topics, issues, benefits, ways of life, etc. discussed is seemingly endless. That being said... it was a very long book. I found some parts more interesting than others. Some are even prophetic. I started off strong but got bored by the end. Still, it was an enjoyable read for what it was. I didn't go into it expecting to be entertained.