Tocqueville and Young on freedom

A detailed Summary of Tocqueville and Young on freedom

The Conflict between Freedom and Equality

Tocqueville noted the profound contrast between individual freedom and political freedom in his critique of American democracy. He observed that the people had a great passion for freedom and liberty, they were filled with beliefs rooted in idealism and founded by illusion. Americans also believed in a system based on equality. However, this equality, in theory, meant that extraordinary individuals were leveled down, while lesser people were brought up to a consistent level of equality. But freedom, stressing individualism, was rooted not in a consistent level, but celebrated differences among the people.

Michael Young also analyzes this inherent incompatibility in the Rise of the Meritocracy. However, Young views the phenomenon from the year 1958, he introduces a system which provides equality of opportunity but gives little recognition to freedom or individualism. People are only parts of a machine they have no use or individualism outside of the system. It is this mentality which spurs the crisis at the end of Young's work. People want both ideals, but it seems to be a zero-sum game. The people now want "real equality" which recognizes each individual as important and different, in

say, "You shall think as you do on pain of death"; but he says, "You are free to think differently

The real danger of a meritocratic system is that it may stifle individual freedom and confidence to such a degree that the public is left helpless at the feet of their own creation. When one is socialized to believe they are not worth as much as others in the society they are also likely to believe that challenging these superior people is futile. This dehumanization by the system leaves individuals with no self-esteem, actually with no self. The individual is left with no freedom to pursue personal goals, but is thrust into a system where even one's goals are decided for them. Of course one could deny the pressure of the system and choose to opt out. However, as Tocqueville expressed in the early quotation; "Your fellow creatures will shun you like an impure being..." This pressure to conform is enough to keep people on the track that the system sees fit.

free, and consequently equality, in its most extreme form, must merge with

freedom, there is good reason to distinguish one from the other.

from me, and to retain your life your property, and all you possess;

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Approximate Word count = 1818
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History

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Tocqueville and Young on freedom

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