Tocqueville asserted that, at that time, America was a democracy—indeed, where the fundamental principle of government was “the sovereignty of the people.” He also asserted that most rich American men were thought to have been born poor; the American society was a very fluid one, marked by the rapid rise and fall of personal wealth. | Tocqueville asserted that, at that time, America was a democracy—indeed, where the fundamental principle of government was “the sovereignty of the people.” He also asserted that most rich American men were thought to have been born poor; the American society was a very fluid one, marked by the rapid rise and fall of personal wealth. |