In 1831, the French writer and historian, Alexis de Tocqueville, traveled the United States, observing the American culture. He subsequently wrote Democracy in America, which remains an insightful view into the America of the time. While Tocqueville had an obvious appreciation for America, he was an impartial observer—he was not party to the politics and controversies of the day.
In light of today’s entitlement mentality, one of his observations is particularly relevant:
When a private individual meditates an undertaking, however connected it may be with the welfare of society, he never thinks of soliciting the co-operation of the government; but he publishes his plan, offers to execute it, courts the assistance of other individuals, and struggles manfully against all obstacles. Undoubtedly he is often less successful than the state might have been in his position; but in the end, the sum of these private undertakings far exceeds all that the government could have done.
I take exception to his claim that private individuals are often less successful than the state, but that is a minor issue. More important is the fact that the “sum of these private undertakings far exceeds all that the government could have done.” This was the source of America’s economic prosperity—individuals were free to pursue their own dreams without interference from government.
Contrast Tocqueville’s observation with the typical modern attitude. Today, when a private individual meditates an undertaking, he often trots to Washington with his hand out, asking for a subsidy, delivering a campaign donation to influence legislators, or begging for favorable legislation. While he may be successful in obtaining government favors, in the end, the sum of these government interventions is far less than the free market could have done.