Democracy in America

Tocqueville’s last major theme is the rarity of revolutions and democracy’s effect on military norms and culture. Tocqueville argues that while revolution often produces democracies, these times of social flux are unlikely to be a permanent feature. Social equality, by improving quality of life for more citizens, creates more disinterest in revolution, especially among “these eager and anxious small proprietors” who have only recently gained property (608). Society in democracy is not static: “They vary, alter, or renovate secondary things every day; they take great care not to touch the principal ones” (610). In essence, Tocqueville argues that Americans are cautious about altering large structures though they frequently change their personal ones.

Only a small minority of outsiders can bring about a revolution in a democratic society. Tocqueville argues that the growing social equality eventually produces broad intellectual consensus, what he calls “common opinions” (612). Americans are also preoccupied with everyday life and are not easily carried away by radical intellectuals with new ideas. This tendency to think with the majority also operates on an emotional level, as any individual tempted to deviate too far from this consensus finds that “their sense of isolation and their impotence immediately overwhelms them and drives them to despair” (615).