In 1835, Alexis de Tocqueville wrote, "It is a constant fact that at the present day the ablest men in the United States are rarely placed at the head of affairs." To what did he attribute this phenomenon?

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Social Studies

Leonidas Pittman

2 March, 17:49

In 1835, Alexis de Tocqueville wrote, "It is a constant fact that at the present day the ablest men in the United States are rarely placed at the head of affairs." To what did he attribute this phenomenon?

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Marin Snyder · Answer 1

Answer: Democracy

Explanation: Alexis de Tocqueville was a French aristocrat, diplomat, political scientist and historian who is best known for his works Democracy in America and The Old Regime and the Revolution.

He argued that the American culture promoted a relatively pronounced equality, while at the same time also promoted mediocrity. According to him, those who possessed true virtue and talent were left with limited choices, as Tocqueville said those with the most education and intelligence could either join limited intellectual circles to explore the weighty and complex problems facing society, or they could use their superior talents to amass vast fortunes in the private sector.

He believed democracy excluded the most qualified men to rule.