Roger Boesche (1948–2017)

Given the resurgence of interest in the political thought of Tocqueville, and the ideological nature of the major streams of interpretation that have emerged, this balanced collection of articles by one of the leading scholars of Tocqueville is most welcome. In the course of nine previously published essays, Boesche (Occidental College) surveys the major issues associated with the study of Tocqueville. The first two chapters address Tocqueville's role as a prognosticator of social and political change and as a classical liberal thinker. Chapters three, four, and five analyze Tocqueville's assessments of capitalism, revolutionary movements, and the use of military force. The final four chapters are attempts to relate Tocqueville's insights to contemporary problems of nihilism, prison reform, tyranny, and journalism. The second chapter on Tocqueville's "strange liberalism," which the author describes as Tocqueville's criticism of the pursuit of self-interest without restraint, makes a significant contribution to current scholarship. The defense of the historical nature of Tocqueville's writings will challenge some contemporary assessments as well. The author provides a thoughtful, perhaps more ambiguous view of Tocqueville, that is both incisive and compelling.… (mehr)