Established in 1987, the Alexis de Tocqueville Institution Statesmanship Award recognized outstanding original contributions to democracy around the world.

In making the award, the institution places special emphasis on statesmanship that goes beyond formal government-to-government negotiations or actions of policy makers alone - including economic statecraft (such as 1987 winner William Clayton and 1994’s Wayne Angell); timely recognition of threats and opportunities (Bill Bradley in 1991, Richard Holbrooke in 1996); private or public sector entrepreneurship (Michael Joyce, 1998) ; and popular action or public diplomacy (1989’s award to the Tiananmen Square martyrs, or Jack Kemp’s leadership on inner-city issues in 1990).

In emphasizing these kinds of statesmanship, AdTI is in keeping with its namesake, Alexis de Tocqueville. In one of Tocqueville’s first official messages as foreign minister of France, he reprimanded an official in the country’s British Embassy for only reporting on the activities and opinions of a few government elites. When Tocqueville had asked for the trend of thinking in British society, he emphasized, he included newspaper editorials, and rank-and-file British voters and workers. Likewise, Tocqueville understood that in a democracy, economic, public opinion, and other forms of leadership are as important as (and conceptually may be prior to) government negotiations as such. (See, e.g., Souveniers, Haverill Press edition, London, 1948, pages 300-318.)

Presentation of the award takes place at a private, off-the-record ceremony of friends, colleagues, and other officials, often by a guest co-host. Previous presenters or co-presenters of the award have included Lawrence Eagleburger, Edmund Muskie, William Stewart, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Howard Cosell, Robert Bartley, Harry Wu, George Soros, and Ronald Reagan.

“catalyst of America’s finest hour in foreign policy, the Marshall Plan.” (posthumous)

“in full belief that the Polish people will be free, and in solidarity with them.” (in absentia)

“because, in the words of Deng himself, markets and democracy must work hand in hand.”

“America’s strongest voice for economic policies that bring prosperity to all people, everywhere.”

“a leader in supporting freedom around the world, and a cogent voice for monetary, tax, and political reform in the 1990s.”

“where bitterness and recrimination would be understandable, Mandela is working for peaceful change.” (in absentia)

“… principal negotiator of the first important nuclear weapons treaty of the post-Soviet era.”

“co-author of an historic return to inflation and interest rate normalcy.”

“a forceful advocate for continued democracy in the new Russia.” (December, 1995)

“peace treaties are not brought about by negotiation alone, but by firm policy and resolute action.” (April, 1996)

“the Billy Mitchell of his era, an indefatigable and persuasive advocate of strategic defense for the United States and its allies.” (November, 1997)

“for bringing the cities of Milwaukee and Cleveland meaningful school choice.” (March, 1998)

“for encouraging peaceful democratic reform in China, informing the public in the United States, and understanding the leverage the world’s greatest democracy enjoys with its newest and emerging ones.” (May 1999, presented by Chinese human rights advocate Harry Wu)

“… men and women who revolutionized the efficiency, speed, and accessibility of U.S. investments at the NASDAQ market - and thus democratized the capital markets of the United States and the world.” (11 April 2001, presented by Hon. Arthur Levitt and Robert Bartley)

“… tireless advocates of school choice vouchers for the District of Columbia and the country.”

“… a congressman who pledged to limit his term in office and kept that pledge.”

With special awards to:

• the “Swiss citizen” - the most active, best-informed, and most intelligently patriotic citizens in the world, thanks to Switzerland’s direct democracy
  
• Sam Hampton and the teachers and students of Computer Learning Center in southeast DC.
  

“in the late 20th and early 21st Centuries, America’s infrastructure suffered physical decay, regulatory confusion, and political neglect.”

(special awards to be announced October 28)