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8 The Democratic Psyche and the Hazards of Equality
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Published:August 2011
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Abstract
In his brilliant analysis of the psychology of democratic man, Alexis de Tocqueville paints a picture of a society populated by individuals who are alienated, unstable, self-absorbed, anxious, and trapped in impossible-to-fulfill quests. This stands in contrast to the rational citizens necessary for democratic societies to flourish. In his book Democracy in America, Tocqueville considers possible new forms of community, such as intentional communities (for example, towns and associations) and communities of opinion (such as newspapers). However, he does not believe that these communities can overcome the isolation of the individual. A society of lonely individuals will give rise to a weak and narrow social imagination. While Tocqueville saw numerous countertendencies to the fragmenting forces of equality, he was also concerned with democracy's potential to disrupt the social bond.
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