a dynamic identified by Alexis de Tocqueville in Democracy in America: As a society moves closer to social equality, citizens become more aware of and more uncomfortable with the inequalities that remain.
The open playing field that democracy creates inspires citizens to think they can shoot for the stars. But the “universal competition” democracy opens forms a barrier to advancement, creating a “permanent struggle” which can dishearten citizens. Equality encourages citizens to dream big, but standing in the way of one’s dream is the dream of everyb...
the benefits of a level playing field, universal competition, and permanent struggle: They unleash the energies of all citizens, he said, creating a dynamism and industry that no aristocratic society can match.
Amid the universal competition of democracy, wokeism is a misguided attempt to achieve these simultaneous twin aims of social equality and social distinction.
wokeism co-opts the trophies and medals that mark distinction in a competitive society, but it awards them without regard for the criteria that ensured that competition is useful and productive for society.
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