The aspect of American society is animated, because men and things are always changing; but it is monotonous, because all the changes are alike.
Alexis De TocquevilleRead
The surface of American society is covered with a layer of democratic paint, but from time to time one can see the old aristocratic colours breaking through.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that while American society appears democratic, underlying aristocratic influences still persist.
Alexis De Tocqueville's quote implies that the face of American democracy is merely a facade, with deeper, older aristocratic values and structures occasionally surfacing. This observation reflects the complex interplay between democracy and aristocracy in society, as well as the tension between ideals and realities.
Themes
DemocracyAristocracySocietyPoliticsValues
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion on political systems during a lecture, one might cite this quote to highlight the complexity of American democracy.
More from Alexis De Tocqueville
All quotes →Democratic communities have a natural taste for freedom: left to themselves they will seek it, cherish it, and view any deprivation of it with regret. But for equality their passion is ardent, insatiable, incessant, invincible: they call for equality in freedom; and if they cannot obtain that, they still call for equality in slavery.
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Religion, which never intervenes directly in the government of American society, should therefore be considered as the first of their political institutions
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The Indian knew how to live without wants, to suffer without complaint, and to die singing.
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Grant me thirty years of equal division of inheritances and a free press, and I will provide you with a republic.
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When none but the wealthy had watches, they were almost all very good ones; few are now made which are worth much, but everybody has one in his pocket.
Alexis De TocquevilleRead
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