Democracy in America? Re-Reading Alexis de Tocqueville Democracy in America? Re-Reading Alexis de Tocqueville

After the globally attention-grabbing speech by Vice President J.D. Vance at the Munich Security Conference and the approving endorsement by President Trump, a number of unresolved questions arise for academic observers:

How is it possible that the alleged weakening of democracy in European societies, through the supposed erosion of freedom of speech, is seen as a greater danger than Russia's military aggression under Putin, which aims to restore imperial power?

And how is it conceivable that this complete miscalculation comes from a political camp that ennobles the storming of the Capitol - the symbol of American democracy - through a subsequent collective pardon of the perpetrators?

How can the administration's actions be understood, not only publicly criticizing judges but also making massive interventions in the judicial system, while ideologically placing the president above the law?

In Old Europe, we recognize this as a hallmark of absolutist rule. But how can all of this be reconciled with the observations and insights of Alexis de Tocqueville, who studied the particular sociological reasons behind Démocratie en Amérique?

Therefore, a re-reading of this great classic of political science and sociology seems worthwhile, in order to better understand today's contradictions and misunderstandings in the interpretation of democracy, which are currently calling into question long-established transatlantic relations – as an expression of a global crisis of this form of domination.

To address these questions, we invite you to a panel discussion with renowned international guests. We would be delighted to welcome you to this event.