Alexis de Tocqueville was an unlikely prophet. The young French aristocrat only made one visit to America, in the 1830s. But he filled a pile of notebooks and letters with his observations, and produced one of the best books ever written about the country: “Democracy in America”. We go behind the scenes of The Economist’s new podcast series about this seminal work.

Listen to “Tocqueville Road Trip”

Guests and hosts:

• John Prideaux, US editor and host of “Checks and Balance”
• Charlotte Howard, executive editor
• James Bennet, Lexington columnist

Topics covered:

• Alexis de Tocqueville
• Why “Democracy in America” is relevant today

Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+

For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

The Trump administration wants wholesale change in Cuba. Since America cut off oil supplies to the island earlier this year life there has become increasingly difficult. How much longer can Cuba’s regime stagger on?

Guests and hosts:

• John Prideaux, US editor and host of “Checks and Balance”
• Charlotte Howard, executive editor
• James Bennet, Lexington columnist
• Sarah Birke, bureau chief for Mexico, Central America & the Caribbean
• Hugo Cancio, Cuban-American businessman

Topics covered:

• Conditions within Cuba
• The history of US-Cuba relations
• What might happen next on the island

Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+

For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Next week a ferocious primary battle will come to an end when voters have their first say on who will be California’s next governor. Policy decisions made in America's largest state can ripple across the rest of the country, for good or ill. What does the battle in California mean—for the future of the state and for national politics?

Guests and hosts:

• Charlotte Howard, executive editor
• James Bennet, Lexington columnist
• Aryn Braun, West Coast correspondent
• Steve Hilton, candidate for governor of California

Topics covered:

• Election issues in California
• The Democratic primary
• Republican views of the state

Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+

For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.