American Democracy: Equality and Classes

Just thought I would add one of my papers that I wrote for my Intro to American Civilization class in 2010.  As a student of American Studies, I am constantly seeking to understand the nature of American culture.  This is just one look into the unique government which the founding fathers created in the 18th century.  I hope you enjoy it!

 

 

American Democracy: Equality and Classes

 

It was considered an experiment. An experiment which could seize the Old World and destroy its very philosophy concerning traditional roles of society; or it could be an experiment which ended in disaster and chaos for this newborn country which pursued the elusive conception of equality toward all its citizenry. Yet, this newborn country added another dimension to its philosophy of egalitarianism by encouraging the growth of capitalism within its ideology. Many watched this struggle by this infant nation as it writhed from the beliefs of its motherland and formed its own virtues and designs. A number of those of who scrutinized this process were convinced it would fail and would fall to the established views of tradition. Nevertheless, numerous others watched with delight as the new land overcame tradition, and established a new way of surviving and thriving with the principle of equality in a system dedicated to capitalism and a class system.

This ability to survive and thrive is due to the aptitude of individuals who through various means were able to cross social lines and rise in class. It is these means which can be used by any individual that allows for the continued growth and practice of this unique system. Two of the ways that individuals used in order to achieve this goal are: devotion to their goal and a tendency to improve oneself through education and resolves. One of the most important aspects of the principle of equality and capitalism’s class system is the capacity for growth and ascension into higher classes. In order to achieve this goal the need for determination and to strive forward even if failure occurs in some element of this aspiration. This ideal has been reflected frequently in books, letters, and essays of individuals who have achieved their dream. For instance, in Autobiography Of Benjamin Franklin, Mr. Franklin admits that when he tried to perfect himself, he came to the realization “that a perfect character might be attended with the inconvenience of being envied and hated; and that a benevolent man should allow a few faults in himself, to keep his friends in countenance” (1). However, Mr. Franklin did not give up on his goal. Instead, he realized that in order to attain his goal he had to realize that he needed to qualify which points needed to be enhanced and remain devoted to the major goal rather than to several offshoots of that goal.

Furthermore, Alexis de Tocqueville in his book, Democracy In America, writes about the progressiveness toward industry which Americans committed themselves to: “The Americans make immense progress in productive industry, because they all devote themselves to it at once” (1). Even this Frenchman notated just how devoted to a cause or goal Americans are when he traveled throughout the fledgling country in order to understand the principle of equality in this capitalistic country.

Probably one of the most notable writings concerning the devotion to attaining a goal is from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby. In the novel, Gatsby is a young man who was born into a poor family. However, his aspirations were to get ahead and become something better than what he had lived with. Upon his meeting Daisy, when he was in the Army for World War I, he realized that she was the catalyst of his goal. “…he found that he had committed himself to the following of a grail” (149). Yet, this devotion to a goal began when Gatsby was young for as his father says after his death: “he knew he had a big future in front of him. And ever since he made a success he was very generous with me” (172). Thus, Gatsby remained devoted to his goal of “making it big” (173) and to attain the most important aspect of his goal, the love of Daisy. It is this devotion to a goal which helps create equality within the capitalistic class system in American Democracy for it allows the upward and downward movement of people in the United States.

In addition, to this devotion to a goal is the desire to educate and grow in varied areas which are means that contribute to the egalitarianism within the capitalistic class system. Whereas, Tocqueville describes “how an aristocracy can be created by manufacturers” (1) he further states how “men of great opulence and education devote their wealth and knowledge to manufacturers” (1). With education the ability to be equal is approachable. However, as Tocqueville reiterates “an aristocracy can be created” (1) and it is up to “the friends of democracy to keep their eyes anxiously fixed on the conditions which could create a permanent inequality and aristocracy” (1).

This is an idea that is discussed in The Great Gatsby, as the reader discovers that several of the characters are from the working class and it is through their resolve and education that they are able to join the aristocratic class of the 1920’s. For example, Jay Gatsby’s father shows Nick Carroway a book in which his son had written several resolves that he wanted to attain: “Jimmy was bound to get ahead. He always had some resolves like this or something. Do you notice what he’s got about improving his mind: He was always great for than” (173). Again, one of the defining elements of climbing in society is the need to be educated and to expand one’s horizons to reach what many might have though to be unreachable.

Yet, there are many who like Tocqueville who felt that this would lead to an aristocracy. Fortunately, there are many more who believe that by educating all people and by tempering the number of resolves to one that may be of the most important, the ability to remain equal is fathomable in a capitalistic society. Benjamin Franklin writes: “I endeavored to cure myself of this vice (pride)…I made it a rule to forbear all direct contradiction to the sentiment of others and all positive assertion of my own” (1). In other words, Mr. Franklin worked on expanding his own viewpoints to the thoughts of others in order to prevent himself from becoming arrogant and aristocratic in nature. By doing this, he gives the formula for preventing inequality and establishing a rapport with others which conveys parity across social classes.

Thus, two methods used in order for the sociopolitical order based upon the principles of equality to survive and thrive in a capitalistic class society are devotion to a goal and the need for education and attainable resolutions. These are two ways which will continue the growth of evolution of equality within the American Democracy. Furthermore, as Tocqueville stated it is the “friends of democracy”(1) who must ensure the continuity of equality through these measures.

 

 

 

 

 

Work Cited

 

Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York. Scribner. 2004.

Franklin, Benjamin. Autobiography Of Benjamin Franklin. http://academics.eckerd.edu

/instructor/griggscm/pel/dir_intro_am_studies/ autobiography_franklin.htm.2010.

Tocqueville, Alexis de. Democracy In America. http://academics.eckerd.edu/ instructor

/griggscm/pel/dir_intro_am_studies/Book_II_Chap_19 and 20.htm. 2010.