refelction of "Equality and Materialism"

If you order your research paper from our custom writing service you will receive a perfectly written assignment on refelction of "Equality and Materialism". What we need from you is to provide us with your detailed paper instructions for our experienced writers to follow all of your specific writing requirements. Specify your order details, state the exact number of pages required and our custom writing professionals will deliver the best quality refelction of "Equality and Materialism" paper right on time.

Out staff of freelance writers includes over 120 experts proficient in refelction of "Equality and Materialism", therefore you can rest assured that your assignment will be handled by only top rated specialists. Order your refelction of "Equality and Materialism" paper at affordable prices !



gEquality and Materialismh by Alexis de Tocqueville was published more than 150 years ago. Yet, we still find quotes from the essay cited in recent political speeches. de Tocquevillefs statements still speak to us today because they express not only his thoughts on democracy as a form of governance, but also its relationship to human nature. Human nature is enduring, in many ways, so is his essay. de Tocqueville explores the relationships between wealth and democracy, equality and democracy, and lastly, human nature and democracy. He philosophically guides readers to comprehend the American experience.


Alexis de Tocqueville believes that the pursuit of material pleasure can become a spur for neglecting onefs duties and obligations to the community. He suggests that Americansf obsession with material well-being and love of money would potentially threaten the social well-being of America. In the process of pursuing onefs goal, one becomes more individualistic, oftentimes disconnected from family and society. Money enables independence. Yet, gwhen all the members of a community are independent of or indifferent to each other, the co-operation of each of them can only be obtained by paying for it this infinitely multiplies the purposes to which wealth may be applied, and increases its valueh(168). Independence makes money more valuable and money breeds more independence. Were members of a society to be more self-centered, the well-being of the society would be abandoned In the principle of independence in such a society, everyone is disinterested in the othersf business. Hence, one can only receive help from others by paying for it. Accordingly, de Tocqueville asserts that the individuality of this democratic society would increase the value and power of money. His idea of individuality connects with that of Charles Beard in his essay, gIndividualism.h Beard also sees society as a product of disengaged people who are constantly striving for their own personal benefit. This competition of the gfittest to surviveh creates winners, and conversely losers, making winners better-off and more powerful than the rest. Both de Tocqueville and Beard acknowledge the significance of individualism on the weight of wealth, and vice versa. When members of society are independent of their social relations, wealth plays the main role in distinguishing one from another. Consequently, money becomes cause of social inequality.


The idea of equality in America is deceptive because it makes people believe anything is possible and available to them. However, in reality, although aristocratic class or fortune does not exist in America, one faces obstacles due to increased competition. In other words, When people who feel inferior seek more equality for themselves, they encounter increased competition in democratic environment. Equality lessens onefs determination. While allowing expanding desires, it restrains potency. gThe same equality which allows every citizen to conceive these lofty hopes renders all the citizens less able to realize them it circumscribes their powers on every side, while it gives freer scope to their desiresh (164). de Tocqueville observes this paradox of equality in America. Contradictions arise in Americansf perception of equality; they trigger greater restiveness in peoplefs state of mind. Opportunity may be equal to all; nevertheless, when everybody starts from the same stage and is striving for his goal, it is more onerous to reach the top of the ladder.


Although some weaknesses are involved, de Tocqueville suggests that democracy is the destination to most of nations. It is human nature to have the most interest in own personal benefit; therefore, independence is inevitable. Even though they do not imitate each other, nations will eventually discover that democracy is a political structure where human instincts are more significantly reflected. gcthough they seek not, though they see not, though they know not each other; and they will be surprised at length to find themselves all collected on the same spotch(16410) Human nature will prevail against cultural constrains and historical experiences. Thus, de Tocqueville stresses that the idea of democracy will spread through the world.


Custom Essays on refelction of "Equality and Materialism"


gEquality and Materialismh examines Americansf excessive drive for materialism, individualism, and equality. Materialism weakens the emotional bonds among people because it reinforces selfishness; thus people acknowledge their dependence on each other to a lesser degree. In addition to their pursuit of wealth, people search for greater equality; however, competition, engendered by greater equality, deepens the gap between the rich and poor. Although his findings were largely negative, de Tocqueville did not simply criticize American democracy. He saw democracy as an ideal political structure and believed in the universal phenomenon of the movement towards democracy. de Tocquevillefs examination of American society helps us to highlight the imperfections of democracy and human nature as well as to think deeper about the underpinnings of democracy.


Beard, Charles. gIndividualismh American Dreams Readings for Writers, nd ed. Ed. Paul and Violeta Clee. Mountain View Mayfield, 1. 7-8


de Tocqueville, Alexis. gEquality and Materialismh American Dreams Readings for Writers, nd ed. Ed. Paul and Violeta Clee. Mountain View Mayfield, 1. 161-164


Please note that this sample paper on refelction of "Equality and Materialism" is for your review only. In order to eliminate any of the plagiarism issues, it is highly recommended that you do not use it for you own writing purposes. In case you experience difficulties with writing a well structured and accurately composed paper on refelction of "Equality and Materialism", we are here to assist you. Your persuasive essay on refelction of "Equality and Materialism" will be written from scratch, so you do not have to worry about its originality.

Order your authentic assignment and you will be amazed at how easy it is to complete a quality custom paper within the shortest time possible!



Leave a Reply