Tocqueville Despotism Analysis

Tocqueville believed that since despotism is not restricted by laws or rules and being an arbitrary power which resists the notion of popular sovereignty, a democracy based on equality would result in isolationism ultimately creating a state of despotism. Tocqueville argued that equality resulted in citizens compromising their abilities due to the government limiting the individual’s potential. That a government based on the desires of the majority under the concept of equality actually resulted in isolationism by in essence lining citizen up shoulder to shoulder with no bond to link them together. With a system of equality the common link shared by men turns away from the common good and leads to self-interest and personal greed. Citizens