Rating: 
Summary: A wonderful new edition of a classic
Review: There is no doubt that Alexis de Tocqueville's Democracy in America is perhaps the greatest book ever written on the US government and the principles of democracy. Tocqueville clearly shows both the promise and the problems of democracy. In many ways he is not at all flattering of the Americans, and in fact shows us how really terrible we can be. Nevertheless, he still shows hope in the ideas of democracy, and points that it is possible to overcome these problems.The Mansfield edition of this book is a wonderful translation with great annotation and references, that make it good for a studnet or a casual, non-social theory, interested person to read. The introduction is also beautifully written and lays out the ideas de Tocqueville had marvelously. I think that this will be the edition to use in the future. After hte events of last year, it is important for us to keep in mind what this country is about, what are its true problems, and how we can improve it. The problems that de Tocqueville points out are not something that panders to either left or right in our current sense, but points to problems fundamental in all democracies and particularlly in the American way of democracy. Yet, his hope should be uplifting.
Rating: 
Summary: Insightful
Review: This book provides wonderful insights on our American political philosophy. He aptly points out the utilitarian approach we have to things. For instance, he recognizes that on the whole, Americans shun anything that is not immediately applicable. This is a great strength and a great weakness, for we do not as easily go off on blind tangents, but we also miss a great many oppertunities to improve ourselves. He also points out out "tyranny of the majority." Simply put, if the majority believes something, they are capable of enforcing it by any means necassary, and often will. We have often harmed people's civil rights with such practices. Overall, I think he analyzes us fairly accurately.
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