Beyond Tocqueville, Myrdal, and Hartz: the multiple traditions in America. (Louis Hartz, Gunnar Myrdal)

America has long been viewed as the epitome of the modern liberal democracy and its political culture as one of the best examples of a functioning democracy. A distinguished array of writers, from Hector St. John Crevecoeur in the 18th century to Gunnar Myrdal and Louis Hartz in the 20th century, have reinforced this concept of American political culture. However, the ideologies and social institutions that determined the status of racial and ethnic minorities in the history of the US do not conform to the ideals of democratic principles.

Analysts of American politics since Tocqueville have ...

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