Alexis De Tocqueville was a French nobleman and journalist. He came to the United States in 1831 and toured the northeast, midwest and south of the country. He wrote a two volume book, “On Democracy” about his observations. Written for a French audience that was more used to the feudalism that had only recently begun to disappear in Europe, his book highlighted the ways that U.S. democracy – and U.S. capitalism were different. These short excerpts (below) highlight key insights about how U.S. capitalism “works”. As you read them, think about how/whether they are relevant to today’s capitalism, as you experience it.
Read the six SHORT excerpts from De Tocqueville. Describe how much you see De Tocqueville’s observations about the United States holding true today – or not.