1896918330
Tocqueville Road Trip from The Economist

Advertise on podcast: Tocqueville Road Trip from The Economist

Rating
★★★★★
4.8
from
38 reviews
This podcast has
7 episodes
Language
English
Publisher
The Economist
Explicit
No
Date created
2026/06/12
Latest episode
2026/06/24
Average duration
33 min.
Release period
3 days

Description

Alexis de Tocqueville arrived in New York in May 1831. America was still getting started. But this young French aristocrat was the first foreigner to foresee what it would become: not just a country, but an idea—one powerful enough to shape the future of the world. Tocqueville's nine-month road trip took him to the frontier, to the South and, eventually, to the White House. It spawned his masterpiece: “Democracy in America”. Many people still consider this book the single most insightful piece of writing on America. John Prideaux, The Economist’s US editor, is one of them.  Now, 250 years after the birth of the republic, people inside and outside America are starting to question the vitality of its democracy. How much of what so inspired Tocqueville about America remains? In this series John Prideaux sets off to find out. He retraces the route Tocqueville took and talks to Americans around the country from all walks of life—just like he did. To listen to the full series subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Unlock Tocqueville Road Trip from The Economist podcast Email contact info,
Listeners & Audience details

Email contact information

Direct podcast contact details

Listeners

Audience numbers & engagement insights

Audience details

Podcast Insights

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from Tocqueville Road Trip from The Economist podcast


5. Hour of strife
2026/06/24
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 Hosts John Prideaux, The Economist’s US editor and host of “Tocqueville Road Trip” Donna Hughes-Brown, immigrant and Green-card holder Jim Brown, Donna’s husband Richard K. Jones, Sheriff of Butler County, Ohio Topics Tocqueville’s “Democracy in America” and his views on slavery Victims of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) The federal government’s power Let us know what you think. Email [email protected] To listen to the full series, subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus 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.
6. Capital of an empire
2026/06/24
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 Hosts John 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 Topics Tocqueville’s views on Andrew Jackson and the presidency How close could America come to dictatorship? Social media in the Trump era Let us know what you think. Email [email protected] To listen to the full series, subscribe to Economist Podcasts+. https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus 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.
4. Independence of mind
2026/06/17
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 Hosts John Prideaux, The Economist’s US editor and host of “Tocqueville Road Trip” Harvey Mansfield, retired Harvard Professor Alan 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 [email protected] To listen to the full series, subscribe to Economist Podcasts+. https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus 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.
3. Boundless continent
2026/06/17
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 Hosts John Prideaux, The Economist’s US Editor and host of “Tocqueville Road Trip” Kathryn Haushalter, Saline township resident Colin Sullivan, senior vice-president of Related Companies Topics Tocqueville’s “Democracy in America” Data centers in rural America How the American township functions Let us know what you think. Email [email protected] To listen to the full series, subscribe to Economist Podcasts+. https://subscribenow.economist.com/podcasts-plus 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.
2. Against all obstacles
2026/06/11
Tocqueville saw America’s faith in its own democracy as a vital force. But these days the majority of Americans think the country is headed in the wrong direction. Can a group of maximum security prisoners in Sing Sing offer a vision of how to get back on track? Guests and Hosts John Prideaux, The Economist’s US EditorSean Pica, executive director of Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison Jean Frantz, prisoner at Sing Sing Correctional Facility  Topics  Alexis de Tocqueville’s views on voluntary associationsSing Sing prison education programmePrisoners’ views on the American dream Let us know what you think. Email [email protected] To 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1. Game of chance
2026/06/11
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 EditorBabara Tober, Philanthropist and former Editor of Brides magazineJohn Catsimatidis, CEO of Red Apple Group Topics  Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America‘Equality of conditions’ at 250The election of Zohran MamdaniDeclining faith in American democracy Let us know what you think. Email [email protected] To 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Trailer: Tocqueville Road Trip
2026/06/11
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 now Find the show on The Economist app | On Spotify | On other apps On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/be/podcast/tocqueville-road-trip-from-the-economist/id1896918330 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Podcast reviews

Read Tocqueville Road Trip from The Economist podcast reviews


4.8 out of 5
38 reviews
★★★★★
Rchl2020 2026/07/18
Building Core Competencies One Pod Series at a Time
As both a first gear public servant and first year TESC MPA student this podcast series helped bring to life, in the realist way possible, everything ...
check all reviews on apple podcasts

Podcast sponsorship advertising

Start advertising on Tocqueville Road Trip from The Economist relevant audience podcasts


What do you want to promote?