Both Alexis de Tocqueville and Karl Marx examine the social change that nations go through either as a result of democracy diminishing Aristocratic ages or because of the wide spread of industrial capitalism. However, Marx and Tocqueville observe the impact of these social changes on the community differently. Marx writings are about how the European world was changing during his lifespan. He observes how the beginning of the Industrial Revolution creates an increase in the level of economic production, but also an immense increase of inequality in a society. On the contrary, Tocqueville analyzes the relationship between equality and liberty during the democratic ages vs. the aristocratic ages. This paper will discuss the differences between
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He mentions that in the United States, individualism doesn 't lead to tyranny because "they know that the rich in democracies always need the poor and that good manners will draw them more than benefits conferred" (Marx, 1844). He finds democratic people to be weak with just equality and no class power and liberty, and he finds that the only solution to prevent despotism from happening is through bringing people together "voluntary association" (De Tocqueville, 1835). Voluntary association can help the community stay organized, and give people a chance to understand each other while agreeing on rules and laws that will govern their society. Although it may seem similar when Marx suggests that the key to eliminating alienation is also through bringing people together; yet this kind of solidarity is different, it can be referred to as unification according to class, mainly the working class against the bourgeoisie. Marx believes that once the working class gains "class consciousness," they will change from a "class in itself" to a class for itself" (Marx, 1844). This means that workers remain oppressed when they are only concerned with their individual interests of making a living, but once the working class realizes their interests as a whole they will form a stronger union that can overthrow capitalism and enjoy an equal
He mentions that in the United States, individualism doesn 't lead to tyranny because "they know that the rich in democracies always need the poor and that good manners will draw them more than benefits conferred" (Marx, 1844). He finds democratic people to be weak with just equality and no class power and liberty, and he finds that the only solution to prevent despotism from happening is through bringing people together "voluntary association" (De Tocqueville, 1835). Voluntary association can help the community stay organized, and give people a chance to understand each other while agreeing on rules and laws that will govern their society. Although it may seem similar when Marx suggests that the key to eliminating alienation is also through bringing people together; yet this kind of solidarity is different, it can be referred to as unification according to class, mainly the working class against the bourgeoisie. Marx believes that once the working class gains "class consciousness," they will change from a "class in itself" to a class for itself" (Marx, 1844). This means that workers remain oppressed when they are only concerned with their individual interests of making a living, but once the working class realizes their interests as a whole they will form a stronger union that can overthrow capitalism and enjoy an equal