Tocqueville in Arabia

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In 1835, Alexis de Tocqueville observed that the rise of democracy would lead to increased isolation and loneliness as nations moved away from aristocracy. This insight, often misinterpreted after the fall of the Berlin Wall, highlights that democracy does not guarantee social connectedness. In America, extensive scholarship has documented this growing isolation. The question then arises: does Tocqueville's prediction apply to the Middle East? While many view the region as rich in familial and tribal ties, a deeper examination reveals a similar trend of isolation. Today, individuals in the Middle East grapple with the tension between strong familial bonds and the isolating effects of rapid modernization, mirroring the American experience. The critical issue, as Tocqueville anticipated, is how these citizens will navigate their feelings of loneliness. Joshua Mitchell, who has taught Tocqueville's work in both America and the Arab Gulf, explores this crisis of isolation in his insightful analysis, drawing parallels and distinctions between the experiences of Americans and those in the Middle East.