Description
Discover the profound insights of a revolutionary thinker in 'The Man Who Understood Democracy.' This compelling biography, published by Princeton University Press, delves into the life of Alexis de Tocqueville, whose critical analysis of democracy reshaped political thought in the 19th century. Written by Tocqueville expert Olivier Zunz, this authoritative account chronicles how Tocqueville's 1831 journey to America ignited his enduring commitment to democracy and liberal politics. The book encapsulates Tocqueville’s experiences in both France and America, revealing his efforts to combat despotism and promote democratic ideals. Through engaging anecdotes and an exploration of Tocqueville's myriad correspondence with influential intellectuals and politicians, Zunz provides a rich understanding of Tocqueville's unique perspective on democracy. This biography not only examines the historical context but also offers valuable lessons on the importance of civic engagement in preserving democratic values today. With a brand new condition and published in 2024, 'The Man Who Understood Democracy' is essential for students of history, political science enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the evolution of democracy. Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled. ISBN: 9780691254142. Format: Trade paperback (US).
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780691254142
Format: Trade paperback (US)
Year: 2024
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Description:
In 1831, at the age of twenty-five, Alexis de Tocqueville made his fateful journey to America, where he observed the thrilling reality of a functioning democracy. From that moment onward, the French aristocrat would dedicate his life as a writer and politician to ending despotism in his country and bringing it into a new age. In this authoritative and groundbreaking biography, leading Tocqueville expert Olivier Zunz tells the story of a radical thinker who, uniquely charged by the events of his time, both in America and France, used the world as a laboratory for his political ideas.
Placing Tocqueville’s dedication to achieving a new kind of democracy at the centre of his life and work, Zunz traces Tocqueville’s evolution into a passionate student and practitioner of liberal politics across a trove of correspondence with intellectuals, politicians, constituents, family members and friends. While taking seriously Tocqueville’s attempts to apply the lessons of Democracy in America to French politics, Zunz shows that the United States, and not only France, remained central to Tocqueville’s thought and actions throughout his life. In his final years, with France gripped by an authoritarian regime and America divided by slavery, Tocqueville feared that the democratic experiment might be failing. Yet his passion for democracy never weakened.
Giving equal attention to the French and American sources of Tocqueville’s unique blend of political philosophy and political action, The Man Who Understood Democracy offers the richest, most nuanced portrait yet of a man who, born between the worlds of aristocracy and democra
Note: Shipping for this item is free. Please allow up to 6 weeks for delivery. Once your order is placed, it cannot be cancelled.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9780691254142
Format: Trade paperback (US)
Year: 2024
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Description:
In 1831, at the age of twenty-five, Alexis de Tocqueville made his fateful journey to America, where he observed the thrilling reality of a functioning democracy. From that moment onward, the French aristocrat would dedicate his life as a writer and politician to ending despotism in his country and bringing it into a new age. In this authoritative and groundbreaking biography, leading Tocqueville expert Olivier Zunz tells the story of a radical thinker who, uniquely charged by the events of his time, both in America and France, used the world as a laboratory for his political ideas.
Placing Tocqueville’s dedication to achieving a new kind of democracy at the centre of his life and work, Zunz traces Tocqueville’s evolution into a passionate student and practitioner of liberal politics across a trove of correspondence with intellectuals, politicians, constituents, family members and friends. While taking seriously Tocqueville’s attempts to apply the lessons of Democracy in America to French politics, Zunz shows that the United States, and not only France, remained central to Tocqueville’s thought and actions throughout his life. In his final years, with France gripped by an authoritarian regime and America divided by slavery, Tocqueville feared that the democratic experiment might be failing. Yet his passion for democracy never weakened.
Giving equal attention to the French and American sources of Tocqueville’s unique blend of political philosophy and political action, The Man Who Understood Democracy offers the richest, most nuanced portrait yet of a man who, born between the worlds of aristocracy and democra