The end of revolution?

Article Abstract:

Alexis de Tocqueville states in 'Democracy in America' that in the US, a country of freedom and equality, the 'push' factor of dissatisfaction is weak, while the 'stay' factor, constituted by what is now known as the middle class, is strong. He believes that the fact that most people are property owners and that commerce is a key economic activity acts as a strong incentive to maintain the status quo, thus preventing revolutions in a democracy. However, he was concerned that stable conditions of liberty and equality could have a negative impact on human creativity and originality and discourage innovation.

Revolutions

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Did Tocqueville foresee totalitarianism?

Article Abstract:

It is interesting to consider whether Alexis de Tocqueville anticipated the type of democratic despotism that the 20th century named totalitarianism and of which Communism was the key example. Several texts seem to support the claim that Tocqueville foresaw totalitarianism, but it is important to recognize that his vocabulary is pre-social science, with his terms often having different meanings from those they have today. It is particularly important to appreciate that Tocqueville saw democracy as meaning social equality, rather than representative government and civic rights.

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