Democracy in America

Tocqueville notes that the American pursuit of well-being does not lead to tranquil mental states. Instead, he observes, “It is a strange thing to see with what sort of feverish ardor Americans pursue well-being and how they show themselves constantly tormented by a vague fear of not having chosen the shortest route that can lead to it” (511-12). Americans are constantly chasing success and greatness, restless because of the “brevity of life” (512). As equality grows, more citizens believe they can achieve great things, but they are surrounded by those who share this view and advancement becomes more difficult when many people are striving for the same goal. Some equality always exists, once a society has transitioned, but it will never be perfect enough to quiet internal restlessness. This explains “the disgust with life that sometimes seizes them in the midst of an easy and tranquil existence” (514).

In discussing the relationship between material freedom and politics, Tocqueville argues that “men of democratic times need to be free in order to procure more easily for themselves the material enjoyments for which they constantly sigh” (515), but that these desires can be co-opted by a tyrannical leader if no care is taken to develop popular understandings of freedom.