I have neither as much travel experience nor insight as de Tocqueville, but after spending a month in the British Isles, I did notice some keen differences. Whereas de Tocqueville was able to analyze what drove the success of American capitalism, we may have been given a glimpse into what has plummeted British culture. Dublin is a thriving, energetic city. All Dubliners seem to carry cell-phones. Its work force is young, fiercely Irish, and quite computer literate.
Capitalism seems new to Dublin, and one can almost feel the energy.
Much new building is going on, and the tourist business brings many dollars to facelift this old city. Citizens have learned, if for no other reason than to secure the tourism industry, to get along. In the end, what is making Dublin work is freedom and markets. Dublin is outgrowing its socialism. Freed from control of England since 1921, Dublin, the crown jewel of the Republic, is a leader in education, business, and cooperation.