#268

Mentioned in 76 episodes

Democracy in America

Book • 1835

Alexis de Tocqueville

Written after his travels in the United States, 'Democracy in America' is a comprehensive study of American society and government.

Tocqueville examines the democratic revolution and its impact on American life, discussing topics such as the sovereignty of the people, the role of civil society, the dangers of the tyranny of the majority, and the influence of religion and individualism.

The book is a philosophical and political analysis that aims to understand why republican representative democracy succeeded in the United States while failing in other places, and it offers insights into the future of democracy both in America and globally.

Mentioned by

Harvey Mansfield

Victor Davis Hanson

Auron Macintyre

Lori Motzkus Wilkinson

Mentioned in 76 episodes

Mentioned when Deneen recalls reading it in college and recognizing its praise of township democracy.

644. Has America Lost Its Appetite for the Common Good?

Mentioned by

Jeff Sandefer

as a book read by students in Acton Academy.

336. How to Educate Your Children | Jeff Sandefer

Mentioned by

Brett McKay

in relation to American community spirit.

Building Tribe — How to Create and Sustain Communities of Men

Mentioned by

Jonathan Haidt

as a book offering insights into American society and its democratic character.

The Anxious Generation with Jonathan Haidt

Mentioned by

Melissa Lane

in relation to Hayek's concept of the 'road to serfdom'.

Hayek's The Road to Serfdom

Referenced by Michael Knowles as the best study of America ever written.

Michael Knowles: Attacks on Christians, Norm McDonald, and Leaving Atheism for Catholicism

Mentioned by

Peter Turchin

in the context of Tsar Alexander II's decision-making process regarding reforms in Russia.

The 'Decline' of Nations: How Elite Surplus and Inequality Lead to Societal Upheaval with Peter Turchin

Mentioned by

Johnathan Bi

as one of his favorite books, quoting its preface about equality.

Capital is Cheap, This is The Last Scarce Resource | USV’s Albert Wenger

Mentioned by

Harvey Mansfield

when referring to Tocqueville's ideas about spirituality in America.

Harvard Professor’s Masterclass on Machiavelli | Harvey Mansfield

Mentioned by

Maxwell Meyer

as the first and greatest description of American democracy by a foreign observer.

28: Maxwell Meyer - Starships & Road Trips

Mentioned by

Tyler Cowen

in the context of discussing Shakespeare's precursors according to Girard's work.

Tyler Cowen: Trump's DOGE team should read Shakespeare.

Mentioned by

Lori Motzkus Wilkinson

to provide historical context on individualism and societal changes during the market revolution.

Doctrine & Covenants 137-138 Part 1 • Dr. Lori Wilkinson • December 1-7 • Come Follow Me

Mentioned by

Ben Shapiro

in the context of class mobility in the United States compared to Britain.

Ben Shapiro’s Book Club | 1984

Mentioned by

Jonathan Haidt

when discussing Alexis de Tocqueville's observations about American problem-solving.

Jonathan Haidt: Why Did Our Kids Starts To Go Crazy in 2012?

Mentioned by

Gregory Sadler

while discussing American history and its shortcomings.

Peter Thiel Unmasked: From Lapsed Libertarian to Architect of the New Right

Mentioned by

Victor Davis Hanson

as an earlier work that discussed the unique solutions found in the United States compared to the French Revolution.

Victor Davis Hanson: The Dangerous Ideologies America Is Sleepwalking Back Into

Mentioned by

David Runciman

while discussing Tocqueville's observations on American steamboat technology and the assumption of inevitable technological progress.

The History of Revolutionary Ideas: The Industrial Revolution

Mentioned by Michael Moss when Heather Cox Richardson referred to it as an example of early American writing.

August 13, 2025

Mentioned by Patrick Deneen as something he is teaching right now.

Why Catholics CAN’T Be Libertarian: The Lie That Poisoned Both Left and Right | Patrick Deneen

Mentioned by

Auron Macintyre

in relation to voluntary associations and American identity.

The National Question and the Destruction of Identity | 5/12/25

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