Tocqueville toured the United States in the 1830s, documenting his observations of Americans and the country’s historic experiment in self-government. One of his stops was in Louisville.

All of the one-hour talks will begin at 6 p.m. in Ekstrom Library’s Chao Auditorium.

Topics, speakers and dates are:

  • “Politicians, Parties and the Press: Political Institutions and the Future of Democracy in America,” Jasmine Farrier, UofL political science professor, Jan. 27.

  • “God and Country: Religion and the Future of Democracy in America,” Patrick Deneen, political science professor, University of Notre Dame, Feb. 17.

  • “Tocqueville’s Conundrum: Community, Self-Interest and the Future of Democracy in America,” Barbara Elliott, liberal studies professor, Houston Baptist University, March 3.

  • “Nature, Place, Community and the Future of Democracy in America,” Susan McWilliams, political science professor, Pomona College, April 7.

“We hope that now, more than 180 years later, Tocqueville’s work will help us understand what our future might look like in terms of political institutions, religion and communities’ said Gary Gregg, McConnell Center director.

The non-partisan McConnell Center, created at UofL in 1991, prepares Kentucky’s top college undergraduate students to become leaders and offers civic education programs for teachers, students and the general public.

For more information, contact GlyptusAnn Grider Jones at 502-852-4579 or see http://louisville.edu/mcconnellcenter/news/articles/mcconnell-center-spring-talks-to-focus-on-future-of-democracy-in-america