This amazing chapter from “Democracy in America” describes how the triumph of freedom easily leads to physical prosperity. As prosperous men become busy, they forget the importance of their civic duties. This opens the door for ambitious men to masquerade in place of the inattentive crowd – gently leading them into complacent tyranny.
The final paragraph describes how 1830’s America avoided the described pitfalls. Perhaps you’ll agree that America no longer deserves such praise...
Read this once and you’ll read it again!
An excerpt from Democracy in America, Volume 2, Book 2, Chapter XIV. Written by Alexis de Tocqueville, translated by Henry Reeve.
Chapter is originally titled “Taste For Physical Gratifications United In America To Love Of Freedom And Attention To Public Affairs”
Originally published 1840.
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