FREN 503A Tocqueville's Political Thought: Hope, Religion, and Democracy
Following a presentation of Alexis de Tocqueville's life and work, this course aims to generate a reflection on the political, social, and morale characteristics of modern democracy in the West. The course will unfold in four parts: a description of the basic principles of democracy as a political and civil society; the role of faith and religion in a democratic society; a comparative approach of the advent and development of modern democracy in France and in the U.S.; a critical assessment regarding the loyalty of our society to the original democratic principles and values defined by Tocqueville.