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We seek an America where we more perfectly realize the promise of liberty and equality expressed in the Declaration of Independence. This calls for civic education that helps students examine the story of our country and exercise the skills of citizenship.
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Alexis De Tocqueville’s Democracy in America | Primary Source Close Reads Explained

Description

What is “Civil Society?” In this episode of Primary Source Close Reads Explained, Kirk reads a chapter from Alexis De Tocqueville’s ‘Democracy in America’ to explore what this question meant to him. Written after his journey to America in the 1830s, De Tocqueville’s book is a reflection on American society and how its democratic system works. Why does civil society matter, according to De Tocqueville?

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Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America, 1835

Use this primary source text to explore key historical events.

Reading excerpts from deTocqueville’s Democracy in America | A Primary Source Close Read w/ BRI

Mary and Rachel analyze the writing of Alexis de Tocqueville to understand his views on American democracy. How did he represent American democracy as he saw it in his work? And to what extent was this American society characterized by equality?

Observation, Smith, Tocqueville & Sartre…getting you up in the morning! | BRIght & Early

In this episode, we'll discuss the importance of observation during this time by incorporating insights from some of the greatest observers in history, including Adam Smith, Alexis de Tocqueville, and Jean-Paul Sartre. What does observation teach us about our society as a whole and us as individuals?