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"...I know of no other country where love of money has such a grip on men's hearts or where stronger scorn is expressed for the theory of permanent equality of property." These are the words Alexis De Tocqueville used to describe the way in which he felt money was held in Jacksonian American society. Clearly, Tocqueville believed that economic prosperity is the priority of the majority, and that achieving wealth was the highest (if not only) aspiration for the people of America. Comparatively, he felt this love of money was unmatched by any other country’s people. He also talks about equality of property and how the people are passionately against such a notion. Such a belief (or disbelief, rather) has been repeated in history. The most obvious example is the cold war and the American government’s campaign against communism and its potential to spread throughout the world. This blatantly points out Tocqueville’s views on the nature of capitalism; that success in this country comes from nothing more than having more property and material wealth than other fellow citizens. Tocqueville made observations about the American people’s love for money as an outsider exploring the country, and his views on the subject are true to this day, nearly two centuries later.
One thing that stands out in his bold opinion is the way in which he used the words “love” and “hearts”. One could argue that love is achieved by meeting someone who you were interested in to the point that their happiness is the only thing that can give you yours. Another form of achieving the love concept is by living a fulfilled life and through a sacrificial love of all people, serving others selflessly. Most ways in which the notion of love is viewed (religiously, culturally, spiritually, etc.) describe a selfless path of servitude, devotion, positive energy, and good morals. This makes it very interesting that in Tocqueville’s observations of this country, the largest source of love was found in men’s desire for more money, a seemingly heartless substance. Money and monetary gain through a capitalistic economy is achieved by focusing not on others, but on the self, constantly accumulating material wealth, a possession that is constantly evolving and never-ending. When John Locke’s philosophy was borrowed and engrained in our country’s constitution, the lines “and the pursuit of happiness” was used to replace his own words; “property”. This is another example of how happiness in this country is designed to be synonymous with material wealth and the ownership of property.
Alexis De Tocqueville made these observations during Jacksonian America. However, his opinion that no other country’s people “love” money as much as in this one continues to be true, more so now than ever. It also still goes back to the way in which the government keeps the idea of happiness and the idea of material wealth one in the same in its people’s eyes. The media is a large contributor to this distortion. With the use of that tool, advertisements and entertainment sources continue to suggest that true happiness come with a social status, and that such a status can only be reached through monetary gain. When one is a child, he is wired by this media. He will believe that to be happy he needs to hang out with a certain group of people, that those people will only accept him if he is “cool” enough, that being “cool” enough comes with a certain dress code, a certain car, and other material possessions. It could also be argued that by keeping people’s love for money consistent, the government is able to more effectively control its people. As long as we believe we are free, we are proud to be American. If freedom means happiness, and happiness means material possessions, we would accept our government going to war even if it is for material gain; we would even accept their destruction of the Bill of Rights if we believed our money was the only thing that gave us true freedom.
Whether it be 1831 or 2006, one thing remains consistent in America; that the people of this country have an unsurpassed love of money and material gain, and that the concept equality of property will never be accepted by the people. Alexis De Tocqueville observed this in 17 of 24 states in the early stages of this country, and any outsider is likely to agree if they recreated his journey today. From media influence to parental motivation; it is made clear to the people that money is the goal, and it most definitely can buy love as well as happiness.
In America, at least.
One thing that stands out in his bold opinion is the way in which he used the words “love” and “hearts”. One could argue that love is achieved by meeting someone who you were interested in to the point that their happiness is the only thing that can give you yours. Another form of achieving the love concept is by living a fulfilled life and through a sacrificial love of all people, serving others selflessly. Most ways in which the notion of love is viewed (religiously, culturally, spiritually, etc.) describe a selfless path of servitude, devotion, positive energy, and good morals. This makes it very interesting that in Tocqueville’s observations of this country, the largest source of love was found in men’s desire for more money, a seemingly heartless substance. Money and monetary gain through a capitalistic economy is achieved by focusing not on others, but on the self, constantly accumulating material wealth, a possession that is constantly evolving and never-ending. When John Locke’s philosophy was borrowed and engrained in our country’s constitution, the lines “and the pursuit of happiness” was used to replace his own words; “property”. This is another example of how happiness in this country is designed to be synonymous with material wealth and the ownership of property.
Alexis De Tocqueville made these observations during Jacksonian America. However, his opinion that no other country’s people “love” money as much as in this one continues to be true, more so now than ever. It also still goes back to the way in which the government keeps the idea of happiness and the idea of material wealth one in the same in its people’s eyes. The media is a large contributor to this distortion. With the use of that tool, advertisements and entertainment sources continue to suggest that true happiness come with a social status, and that such a status can only be reached through monetary gain. When one is a child, he is wired by this media. He will believe that to be happy he needs to hang out with a certain group of people, that those people will only accept him if he is “cool” enough, that being “cool” enough comes with a certain dress code, a certain car, and other material possessions. It could also be argued that by keeping people’s love for money consistent, the government is able to more effectively control its people. As long as we believe we are free, we are proud to be American. If freedom means happiness, and happiness means material possessions, we would accept our government going to war even if it is for material gain; we would even accept their destruction of the Bill of Rights if we believed our money was the only thing that gave us true freedom.
Whether it be 1831 or 2006, one thing remains consistent in America; that the people of this country have an unsurpassed love of money and material gain, and that the concept equality of property will never be accepted by the people. Alexis De Tocqueville observed this in 17 of 24 states in the early stages of this country, and any outsider is likely to agree if they recreated his journey today. From media influence to parental motivation; it is made clear to the people that money is the goal, and it most definitely can buy love as well as happiness.
In America, at least.