John Blankley will share his long-term interest and avocation for studying the writings of Alexis de Tocqueville to the New Canaan Men’s Club meeting Feb. 23, noting the fundamental themes in de Tocqueville’s landmark “Democracy in America,” written in 1830, continue to resonate in today’s times.
His presentation is entitled “What would Alexis de Tocqueville say about America today?”
The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. in Morrill Hall at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Blankley’s presentation is slated to follow the business portion of the meeting at around 10:40 a.m.
With a degree in Modern History from the prestigious Oxford University, Blankley has had a lifelong affinity for de Tocqueville’s perspective on early America and sees parallels in today’s civic conversations and issues being addressed. In a column he wrote for a local publication last summer, Blankley saw the country going through a time of stress, somewhat driven by what de Tocqueville referred to as “the pretensions of the state.”
De Tocqueville’s Democracy In America is considered the first account and analysis of what made democracy work and what was required to make it work elsewhere.
After graduating from Oxford, Blankley held numerous high level financial positions, including chief financial officer and board member for BP Petroleum, and currently serves as chief executive officer, founder and owner of Flagship Networks, a private computer consulting and systems integration company.
The Men’s Club has openings for new members. Men 55-years and above interested in joining may email ncmens@ncmens.club.