The piece written by Alexis de Tocqueville makes a series of novel judgements regarding the evolution of thoughts and ideas in American society. Tocqueville explains that we are constantly modifying and improving upon ideas, as this sets us apart from so called “brutes”. This idea that we are capable of improvement and getting better is what sets humans apart from the rest, and Tocqueville believes that this idea is as old as time. Despite this, Tocqueville states that the idea of equality has changed the idea of constant improvement and perfection that is inherent in humans. It allows society as a whole to constantly improve and strive to be better together.
Tocqueville arrives at the idea that the aristocratic system puts everyone into class according to “rank, profession, or birth” and this in turn has a profound effect on the inherent human condition to improve and advance. Once a person is put into a lower class from the moment they are born, this impairs their ability to want to improve and perfect their life. Tocqueville feels that the aristocratic system sets limits of sort that allow people to perceive improvement, but they do not strive to set new limits and strive for change.
Further, Tocqueville asserts that once people are taken out of castes or classes, they are almost liberated and are able to seek change and buy into the idea that the ultimate good has not been achieved. They continue to seek and seek this intangible idea of perfection and are never satisfied with the status quo. Tocqueville paints an extremely interesting picture in the piece while advocating for democracy. I pose the following questions: how prevalent is this is modern society? Despite us living in a rather democratic country, to what extent are people put into certain social classes that do not allow them to advance and strive for change for the better? Would a completely democratic society be viable in America today?
One reply on “Alexis de Tocqueville’s “How Equality Suggests to the Americans the Idea of the Indefinite Perfectability of Man””
I find this to be a very interesting concept because it has been relevant from the time of Tocqueville all the way until present day. In this article it states that “Tocqueville feels that the aristocratic system sets limits of sorts that allow people to perceive improvement, but they do not strive to set new limits and strive for change.” . With the present day system of high, middle, and low class people in place there is a certain lack of drive with people who have been content with their social status they were born with. Regardless of us living in a democratic nation, where everyone is supposed to have a voice, some people are given an unfair advantage over others. The rich often pay politicians pay politicians so they can get their way. This gives them an unfair advantage over those who aren’t born into money. This is where Tocqueville’s opinion on equality becomes relevant.
He believes that if people are taken out of an aristocratic system and everyone is given more of an equal chance to succeed, the crippling effects of this system on the lower class will no longer be as existent. People will be liberated in a way.
In today’s society a completely democratic society would be possible but not very likely. The separation between classes in today’s society is already too vast. The rich are too attached to their money and power to let it go away.