Anyone Read de Tocqueville Democracy in America? Is Chomsky's Manufactured Consent Worth Reading

submitted by Richard_Parker from self.debatealtright

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[–]Richard_Parker[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (6 children)

Thanks. I knew someone could do the work for me and distill and refine the ideas of Manufacturef Consent to something more useful.

I know re sportsball,but I love the Packers. The uniforms, the colors, the G symbol, the history of the team. It puts many other aspects of my personality and in beliefs in tension.

Anyone bother reading de Tocqueville? A lot of civ nation Yankee Doodle Dandee types seem to Revere it, though reviews, descriptions and summaries strike me as a rather strong rebuke against democracy.

In addition to other books I read over the summer, finally read Starship Troopers. So much better than the movie, and absolutely essential reading!

[–]send_nasty_stuffNational Socialist 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (5 children)

Absolutely. Everyone should read Starship troopers. I like the government system he lays out where the merchant class is totally separated from power.

I have not read Tocqueville. Which is a shame because my history professors recommended Democracy in America constantly and it's not a long read. I have it on my shelf. Let me know if you start and I'll read with you. When we're done we can do a thread on it.

[–]Richard_Parker[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (4 children)

The hardcover is 600 pages. Edit--it is over 900 pages!

Have you read Sartor Resartus or Shooting Niagra? Thomas Caryle was fiercely anti democratic. Past and Present ad Heroes and Hero Worship also great.

[–]send_nasty_stuffNational Socialist 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

My paper back is only 300 pages. I have not read the other two. I will check em out.

[–]Richard_Parker[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

Hmm ..is it abridged? Will have to look into this....

[–]send_nasty_stuffNational Socialist 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

It is.

This is the version I have

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Democracy-in-America-Mentor-Series-by-Heffner-Richard-Paperback-Book-The-Fast-/353418011226

[–]Richard_Parker[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

I need to go to an old fashion bookstore and lead through it see if it is worth reading.

Btw, between Rittenhouse trial and coverage (which was draining), listening to Packers radio, going tongue gyms I have read maybe 30 pages of Stendahls The Red and the Black, which I am rr0e-reading. I remember being very fond of it but am not terribly impressed so far. Smacks of the French national character, emphasizing decadence, feminine 'men' replete with unreasonable fixations on Napoleon.