Tocqueville Road Trip: 1. Game of chance

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 Hosts

• John Prideaux, The Economist’s US Editor
• Babara Tober, Philanthropist and former Editor of Brides magazine
• John Catsimatidis, CEO of Red Apple Group

Topics 

• Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America
• ‘Equality of conditions’ at 250
• The election of Zohran Mamdani
• Declining faith in American democracy

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