"Matt Barrow" wrote in message
...
In Democracy in America, Alexis de Tocqueville famously concludes with a
warning of the
kind of despotism democratic nations have to fear. Tocqueville warns that
the passion for
equality will give rise to a certain kind of degradation in which citizens
will surrender
their freedom democratically to a tutelary power:

Above these [citizens] an immense tutelary power is elevated, which alone
takes
charge of assuring their enjoyments and watching over their fate. It is
absolute,
detailed, far-seeing, and mild. It would resemble paternal power if, like
that,
it had for its object to prepare men for manhood; but on the contrary, it
seeks
only to keep them fixed irrevocably in childhood; it likes citizens to
enjoy themselves
provided that they think only of enjoying themselves. It willingly works
for their
happiness; but it wants to be the unique agent and sole arbiter of that;
it provides
for their security, foresees and secures their needs, facilitates their
pleasures,
conducts their principal affairs, directs their industry, regulates their
estates,
divides their inheritances; can it not take away from them entirely the
trouble of
thinking and the pain of living?

***

Subjection in small affairs manifests itself every day and makes itself
felt without
distinction by all citizens. It does not make them desperate, but it
constantly thwarts
them and brings them to renounce the use of their wills. Thus little by
little, it
extinguishes their spirits and enervates their souls....

Thanks for the thoughtful quote, I will read the book.
Unfortunately I think democracy has more to fear, as benign despotism seems
to be developing a meaner edge..

Happy landings,