Volume I, Chapter XIII: Why the Americans Are So Restless in the Midst of Their Prosperity
Alexis de Tocqueville
In early 19th-century America, Tocqueville observed a paradox: a society thriving on prosperity yet dismissive of property equality. The love of money was intense, but there was little interest in leveling wealth among citizens. His insight hinted at a tension central to capitalist democracies—economic mobility versus inequality. His observations were made during a time when America was still defining its democratic identity, grappling with the promises and perils of its newfound freedom and wealth.