Tocqueville & The Idea of Democracy

"I appreciate that in a democracy so constituted a society would not be at all immobile; but the movements inside the body social cold be orderly and progressive; one might find less glory there than in an aristocrat, but there would be less wretchedness; pleasures would be less extreme, but well-being more general; the heights of knowledge might not be scaled, but ignorance would be less common; feelings would be less passionate, and manners gentler; there would be more vices and fewer crimes." 

- Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America (Page 15)

Toqueville views the United States as an example of the experiment of Democracy.  He takes an interest in America for France's vested interest in the future of Democracy.  Toqueville is observing carefully to determine where American democracy succeeds, and where it fails.  Then, he plans to adopt the parts that work for France, and avoid the mistakes of the United States in his home country.  As he states, "So I did not study America just to satisfy curiosity, however legitimate; I sought there lessons from which we might profit." (18).

One of the things Tocqueville remarks about, is equality of opportunity in the United States.  Keeping Toqueville in historical context, it would seem in the newly established United States with seemingly endless land were endless opportunities.  Also, I believe that because America was so young at the time, the gap between the elites and "average" citizens had not widened an insurmountable amount. 


Tocqueville best phrases this idea in his observation of the education level of Americans.

"But it is not only fortunes that are equal in America; equality to some extent affects their mental endowments too.  I think that there is not other country in the world, where, proportionately to the population, there are so few ignorant and so few learned individuals in America."- (Page 55)

 With the supposed closeness of education levels within he American population, it is easy for Tocqueville to envision society coming together on a middle ground for an ideal and working democracy.  However, as we try to apply Tocqueville and the idea of upward mobility to modern times, we see that the chasm has widened and the middle ground is shrinking.  I'm interested to see what my classmates have to say on the subject.