Capitalism – Democracy in America

Saad Hamdan – Friday, November 19, 2010

Chapter 2: Of Individualism in Democracies

Individualism is a feeling that leaves man to isolate himself from everyone except his family and

friends. Eventually, individualism becomes egoism destroying all good attributes of the public. In an

Aristocratic society, man is born into his position in life. In this society, man focuses on his loved ones

and is willing to relinquish his desires and pleasures for the sake of his family. Aristocracy binds all

people, no matter of position. Democracy frees each person allowing men to think their destiny is in

their own hands. Families can prosper or become poor. In democracy, man is detached from his

ancestors and does not predetermine his descendants’ position in the future.

Chapter 5: On the Use Which the Americans Make of Associations in Civil Life

Americans of all types are always forming associations. One man is independent and weak, but

when he learns to help others, he finds strength. In an aristocratic society, it is simple to form an

association because of the power and status they hold. Therefore, they only need a few people to form an

association. Contrary to a democratic nation where many people are required to form associations.

Government started to replace associations, and citizens started to rely on the government for help

instead of forming associations. Hence, in order for society to remain civilized the way that associations

are created must be improved, as equality of mans’ conditions spreads.

Chapter 10: The Taste for Physical Comfort in America

It is admirable to want for the good things of life and to always be afraid to lose it. In

Aristocratic societies people that are accustomed to excesses in life they can manage without necessities,

but people who have worked for comfort have difficulty when they lose it. Education and freedom

aspired the poor to acquire comfort, and the rich were afraid to lose it. The rich took their comforts as a

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Saad Hamdan – Friday, November 19, 2010

way to live without thinking about them. The desire for physical comforts is for the most part a middle

class concerns. As the middle class seeks this way of life, it becomes more wide spread. It is because

most wealthy Americans have yearned and struggled for what they have. They always cling to the

passion of wanting and struggling for the comfort of life.

Chapter 17: Why in Ages of Equality and Skepticism it is Important to Set Distant Goals for Human

Endeavor

Religious men stay concentrated on some unchangeable object toward which their progress are

always directed. They ignore things they want in order to satisfy a bigger desire. Religions allow people

to focus on the future rather than the issues they have in life. They tirelessly pursue that idea of working

for the next life. When man thinks of changing his position in life he generally looks for the quick and

easy way to gain. This is why religious nations have accomplished more, because citizens think of the

next world instead of instant gratitude. It is in a democratic society men get overwhelmed by the

constantly changing social conditions and uncertainties of life that make him not think about any thing

except the present time. The stronger man’s faith is, the stronger his vision of the future is. Governments

should give their citizens an interest in their future by giving examples of how working hard can lead to

wealth, power and status. By doing this man will think beyond present times and envision what can be in

the future.

Chapter 18: Why Americans Consider All Honest Callings Honorable

In democratic societies, men feel that it is natural to work for their living. They considered

working an honorable act. Rich Americans feel they must put their leisure time into public duties.

Without getting involved, they would feel their reputation would suffer. In a democratic society, the

notions of work and profit are always visibly together. Citizens do not mind working for a salary. In the
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United States, every honest profession is an honorable one. In contrast, in aristocratic societies the

thought of work stays distinct from profit. Working for the inspiration or for an ideal is worthy but not

just for money.

Chapter 19: What Gives Almost All Americans a Preference for Industrial Callings

Because it takes time to gain wealth from farming, agriculture is best for the rich, or the poor that

only wish to live. No matter how much wealth a man has he tries to find ways to gain more. Trade and

industry give way to quicker and easier means of wealth. Commerce and business are habits and the

rewards of democracy are usually commercial gain. Citizens of democracy are attracted to chance, they

like the emotions connected with the risk so they are drawn to trade. The most successful industrial

ventures in the United States prospered because both rich and poor came together in industry. In a

country where agriculture combined with trade, the fact that the poor and the rich come together in

industry is how the county accomplished so much. While all Americans, invested together make the

country so strong and successful it is also why they give way to many difficulties. Because of this

relationship, all of the societies share in industrial crises.

Chapter 20: How an Aristocracy May be created by Industry

When a man works as a craft man on the same job over a long period, his craft becomes

automatic. He is efficient and a master at his labor. Eventually he will become connected to this trade

and feels this is his position. However, the man becomes weaker, limited and dependent on this

undeveloped skill. As a result, the craft or production is improved but the craft man falls behind. Only if

the worker expands his thoughts through his broadened vision he can then become a master or improve

his skills. It is through this broadened vision that a new aristocracy was developed, dependence on other

people, staying in the same position and either born to obey or to lead. From these aristocratic societies,
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men are either poor, with few means of escaping this condition, or rich who might become poor or

retires when they have made their profits. There were never any genuine associations between the

worker and his master, but there was frequent work related relationships.

Chapter 19: Why There Are So Many Men of Ambition in the United States but So Few Lofty

Ambitions

Every American desires to rise in their position but they lack the ambition. They are always

thinking of power, property and reputation but seldom do they aim high enough to gain these things on a

larger scale. Men do not forget extraordinary events that they witness. These memories rouse passions

and after revolution, order becomes reestablished in a new world. Desires become relative to the

available means. Men find their level and Democratic society is finally established. Life is spent in

eagerly wanting small prizes within reach. In this Democratic society, when equality of men is more

apparent, it is more difficult to progress. The rules of advancement become more inflexible, making

advancement slower. Therefore, great and rapid promotion is rare. In this type of society, it is likely that

men will lose their ambition and the few people with lofty ambitions will lessen.