The Blair Reader: summary and response

Restless Americans

Summary, Synthesis, and Personal Application of Alexis de Tocqueville's "Restless Americans"

One of the many observations Alexis de Tocqueville made during his journey through the United States in its early days of democracy is the restlessness of the Americans he observed despite the relative prosperity they enjoyed over people in other countries. He lists the many things that the people he observed have -- their homes, farms, etc. -- but notes that everyone seems discontent. More importantly, de Tocqueville notes a likely explanation for the observed behaviors and attitudes of the Americans he encounters. The freedom and equality that the Americans enjoy makes contentment hard to come by; without boundaries or customs that keep people living in one area, working in one profession, or staying in one socio-economic class, everyone wants to live somewhere better, work less to make more, and attain as much wealth and status as their neighbors. This creates the unique problem of American restlessness.

This type of attitude has persisted to modern times, and in fact reminds me of some thoughts I had about the way the collegiate system plays out in this country today. Students in this country are taught that college is a necessity in getting a good job that will lead to a successful and happy life. While it is true that a college degree opens many doors, it is also true that earning that degree requires a huge investment of both time and money. I have heard programs on the radio and read news articles that led me to question whether or not the benefits of going to college made the investment worthwhile for every student, or even for most students. Just as de Tocqueville noted the false promise of wealth that many Americans interpreted from their equality, college might present a similar false promise to many modern students.

The four or five years it now takes most people to complete their first undergraduate degree costs tens of thousands of dollars (if not hundred of thousands or more at some private schools), and represents four or five years of lost income. Graduate school only exacerbates this problem. Meanwhile. The competition for jobs after of college is quite fierce, and it has been suggested that spending the four or five years one would spend in college spent working, making contacts, and getting promoted might actually be of better use to many. Similarly, de Tocqueville noted that most people simply cannot achieve the amount of wealth that the Americans seemed to think their freedom entitled them to. Not only were there various obstacles that many couldn't or wouldn't overcome, but the simple fact of limited resources means that the majority of people mathematically could not become as wealthy as they wished. There are limited jobs with security and a decent pay rate today, but high school students are told that college -- rather than entering the workforce -- guarantees them a better life.