Democracy and Aristocracy Society is always evolving and advancing. Our ancestors seem to be effaced, while we are completely unaware of what may come next for us. In Alexis De Tocqueville’s Democracy in America, De Tocqueville argues that democracy essentially creates the idea that men have nothing to owe to any other man. Having lived in both democratic and aristocratic nations, De Tocqueville has developed a strong opinion and a well-rounded understanding of both democracy and aristocracy. Contrary to democratic nations, aristocratic nations remain much more static. One must pay respect to their ancestors, as they are, in turn, respected by their descendents. It’s also recognized that people are part of communities before they are part
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Class identity is essentially lost, which impacts many other aspects of society. The family unit is either being newly formed, subject to change, or falling apart. People aren’t as concerned about what will be of the generations to come, nor of those of the past. De Tocqueville argues that, “Aristocracy had made a chain of all the members of the community, from the peasant to the king; democracy breaks that chain and severs every link of it.”
Furthermore, De Tocqueville explains his thoughts on the social conditions of democracy. Those who don’t have the influence that they’d like to have, will find a way to gain it. Because there is no definite class separation, men feel that there is no place for them. They don’t owe anything to anyone, and nobody owes them anything either. In the end, men will be lead to believe that they stand alone. Whereas each man has a place in an aristocratic society, a man is considered alone in a democratic society.
All in all, De Tocqueville has strong opinions regarding aristocratic and democratic societies. Essentially, a democratic society leads men to believe that they stand alone, while aristocratic nations lead men to believe that their actions are done for each other, rather than as a whole. Distinct separation of social and economic classes impacts families within a society. Democracy makes a man stand
Class identity is essentially lost, which impacts many other aspects of society. The family unit is either being newly formed, subject to change, or falling apart. People aren’t as concerned about what will be of the generations to come, nor of those of the past. De Tocqueville argues that, “Aristocracy had made a chain of all the members of the community, from the peasant to the king; democracy breaks that chain and severs every link of it.”
Furthermore, De Tocqueville explains his thoughts on the social conditions of democracy. Those who don’t have the influence that they’d like to have, will find a way to gain it. Because there is no definite class separation, men feel that there is no place for them. They don’t owe anything to anyone, and nobody owes them anything either. In the end, men will be lead to believe that they stand alone. Whereas each man has a place in an aristocratic society, a man is considered alone in a democratic society.
All in all, De Tocqueville has strong opinions regarding aristocratic and democratic societies. Essentially, a democratic society leads men to believe that they stand alone, while aristocratic nations lead men to believe that their actions are done for each other, rather than as a whole. Distinct separation of social and economic classes impacts families within a society. Democracy makes a man stand