Question
27) What does it mean "the law of entail"? 28) According to de Tocqueville, what happens to a society when it is divided into social classes? 29) What was his opinion of the "scope of human perfectibility" in aristocratic versus democratic societies? 30) What interested him of all people being able to own land? 31) What could be used to counter his argument the equality of opportunity in America?
Solution
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Ferdinand
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Answer
27) **The law of entail (also called primogeniture)** refers to the practice of restricting inheritance of land to a specified line of heirs, usually the eldest male descendant. This practice ensured that landed estates remained intact and within the same family across generations, concentrating wealth and power. It was common in aristocratic societies.28) According to de Tocqueville, a society divided into fixed social classes (like the aristocracy he observed in Europe) tends to become **static and hierarchical**. Individuals are born into a specific social stratum and have limited opportunities for social mobility. This can lead to resentment, social unrest, and ultimately, revolution if the lower classes feel oppressed or unjustly treated. However, he also noted that such societies could foster a sense of duty and responsibility among the aristocracy towards the lower classes.29) De Tocqueville believed that **aristocratic societies** tended to limit the "scope of human perfectibility" for the majority of the population. Since social mobility was restricted, individuals were often confined to the roles and expectations of their birth. In contrast, he saw **democratic societies**, with their emphasis on equality of opportunity, as fostering a greater belief in the potential for individual improvement and societal progress. While individuals might not reach the same heights of intellectual or artistic achievement as in aristocratic societies, the overall level of competence and well-being would be higher.30) De Tocqueville was interested in the widespread land ownership in America because he saw it as a key factor in promoting **equality and stability**. Land ownership gave individuals a stake in society, fostering a sense of independence and responsibility. It also acted as a check on the power of the government and the wealthy elite. He contrasted this with European societies where land ownership was concentrated in the hands of a few, contributing to social inequality and instability.31) To counter de Tocqueville's argument about equality of opportunity in America, one could point to the existence of **systemic inequalities** that limited opportunities for certain groups, even in a nominally democratic society. Examples include:* **Slavery:** The brutal reality of slavery in America directly contradicted the ideal of equality of opportunity.* **Treatment of Native Americans:** The displacement and dispossession of Native Americans demonstrated a clear violation of equal rights and opportunities.* **Gender inequality:** Women were denied many of the same rights and opportunities as men, including the right to vote, own property, and access education.* **Economic disparities:** While land ownership was widespread, wealth was not evenly distributed, and economic inequality could limit opportunities for social mobility.By highlighting these inconsistencies, one could argue that while America aspired to equality of opportunity, the reality fell short of the ideal.