Tocqueville Road Trip from The Economist

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. Tocqueville found Americans' faith in freedom and self-improvement exhilariting—he was the first foreigner to foresee how this new society would change the world. On America’s 250th birthday, John Prideaux sets out on a road trip of his own, following Tocqueville's footsteps from New York to Michigan to Washington, to find out how much of what inspired Tocqueville endures in Trump’s America.Out nowFind the show on The Economist app | On Spotify | On other appsOn Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/be/podcast/tocqueville-road-trip-from-the-economist/id1896918330

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 HostsJohn Prideaux, The Economist’s US EditorBabara Tober, Philanthropist and former Editor of Brides magazineJohn Catsimatidis, CEO of Red Apple GroupTopics Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America‘Equality of conditions’ at 250The election of Zohran MamdaniDeclining faith in American democracyLet us know what you think. Email podcasts@economist.comTo listen to the full series, subscribe to Economist Podcasts+.If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

In a township in rural Michigan, the residents choose to square up against some of the most powerful forces in the country. What can the campaign against a giant AI data centre teach us about democracy in America?Guests and HostsJohn Prideaux, The Economist’s US Editor and host of “Tocqueville Road Trip”Kathryn Haushalter, Saline township resident  Colin Sullivan, senior vice-president of Related CompaniesTopics Tocqueville’s “Democracy in America”Data centers in rural America How the American township functionsLet us know what you think. Email podcasts@economist.comShare this episode with non-subscribers by gifting it from The Economist website/appTo listen to the full series, subscribe to Economist Podcasts+If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Harvard University is supposed to be a place of intellectual freedom. But its students and staff face two kinds of tyranny, both of which feature prominently in Alexis de Tocqueville’s work.Guests and HostsJohn Prideaux, The Economist’s US editor and host of “Tocqueville Road Trip”Harvey Mansfield, retired Harvard ProfessorAlan Garber, 31st president of Harvard  Topics Tocqueville’s “Democracy in America”The battle over freedom of expression Harvard and the Trump Administration Let us know what you think. Email podcasts@economist.comShare this episode with non-subscribers by gifting it from The Economist website/appTo listen to the full series, subscribe to Economist Podcasts+If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Tocqueville predicted that the question of who gets to call themselves an American would have a long and troubled future. Donna Hughes-Brown never thought that question would apply to her. Until ICE showed up.Guests and HostsJohn Prideaux, The Economist’s US editor and host of “Tocqueville Road Trip”Donna Hughes-Brown, immigrant and Green-card holderJim Brown, Donna’s husband Richard K. Jones, Sheriff of Butler County, Ohio TopicsTocqueville’s “Democracy in America” and his views on slaveryVictims of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) The federal government’s powerLet us know what you think. Email podcasts@economist.comShare this episode with non-subscribers by gifting it from The Economist website/appTo listen to the full series, subscribe to Economist Podcasts+If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Washington DC is changing fast. But while buildings are knocked down and rebuilt, power is shifting away from the institutions of the city. As the roadtrip concludes, where does this leave “Democracy in America”?Guests and HostsJohn Prideaux, The Economist’s US editor and host of “Tocqueville Road Trip”Steven Cash, Executive Director of The Steady State and former CIA employee Alex Bruesewitz, political consultant TopicsTocqueville’s views on Andrew Jackson and the presidencyHow close could America come to dictatorship?Social media in the Trump eraLet us know what you think. Email podcasts@economist.com Share this episode with non-subscribers by gifting it from The Economist website/appTo listen to the full series, subscribe to Economist Podcasts+.If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.