This book presents an interpretive analysis of the major themes and purpose of Alexis de Tocquevilles and Gustave de Beaumonts first work, On the Penitentiary System, thereby offering new insights into Tocqueville as a moderate liberal statesman. The book explores Tocquevilles thinking on penitentiaries as the best possible solution to recidivism, his approach to colonial imperialism, and his arguments on moral reformation of prisoners through a close reading of Tocquevilles first published text. The unifying political concept of all three discussions is Tocquevilles underlying concern to pursue moderation between institutional and imaginative extremes in order to maintain liberal values. In both thinking moderately and advocating for moderate political action, Tocquevilles On the Penitentiary System renews an emphasis on the importance of civic engagement and the balance between philosophy and praxis.
1. An Introduction to Tocquevilles First WorkChapter 1: Tocqueville's Moderate Penal Theory.- 2. Tocquevilles Moderate Penal Theory.- 3. Tocquevilles Moderate Penal Activity.- 4. Tocquevilles Moderation and Liebers Idealism in Penal Reform.- 5. Tocquevilles Moderate Penal Reform After 1832.- 6. Conclusion: Tocquevilles Penal Reform and Todays Penal Problems.
Ferkaluk (Cedarville Univ.) offers an important new contribution to the ever-growing field of Tocqueville studies. & She discovers that Tocquevilles political theory shines through the text in unexpected ways and that the book offers important lessons to contemporary liberal democracy. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty. (E. C. Sands, Choice, Vol. 56 (2), October, 2018)
Emily Katherine Ferkaluk
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