A new perspective?

In class today we unanimously decided that de Tocqueville was writing down his ideas primarily for the French audience. While I still agree with that statement I would like to add something we didn't talk about in class.

I think Democracy in America, in today's world, is better received by American audiences. In a way he takes us back to our roots, our point of departure if you will, and gives us a reminder about what this country was founded on. Not only does he give us this reminder of where we came from, but his foreign perspective allows us to understand ourselves in a new light. His analysis on America makes us say things like "oh yea, of course" or "yes, that's why democracy works here" that we normally wouldn't say. It's kind of like when someone asks you to tell them what your best attribute is. It's really hard to answer because you can't analyze yourself from the outside perspective. It's refreshing to hear both the pros and the cons an foreign observer gives on the idea of American democracy.