A society devoted to equal opportunities weaken each individual because it would be a lot harder for an individual to strive forward. Tocqueville states, "When men are more or less equal and are following the same path, it is very difficult for any of them to walk faster and get out beyond the uniform crowd surrounding and hemming them in" (167). This is saying if everyone was equal and had equal opportunities, then it would be very difficult for anyone to take the next step and become the leader. No one would have the extra help of knowing how to lead or take control of a situation. No one would know what to do because they would all have the same experiences.
5) Does Tocqueville think Americans are restless because they don't know what they want or because what they want in not attainable?
Tocqueville thinks that Americans are restless because what they want is not attainable. Most Americans know what they want and how they want to get it, but they rarely do attain what they want. Tocwueville declares, "That is a quality which never retreats before them without getting quite out of sight, and as it retreats it beckons them on to pursue. Every instant they think they will catch it, and each time it slips through their fingers"(168). This is stating that when we know what we want, we chase it with enthusiasm, but we never reach our goal. Something happens along the way that screws things up. Tocqueville also states, "they see it close enough to know its charms, but they do not get near enough to enjoy it, and they ill be dead before they have fully relished its delights"(168). We know everything about what we want, and yet, still, we can't get what we want. Also that we will always want it, but we will never be able to get it.
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