Essay Read by Constituting America Founder, Actress Janine Turner
The essays in our study reference the following edition of Democracy In America: University of Chicago Press – 1st edition translated by Harvey Mansfield and Delba Winthrop. Today’s essay references pages 525 – 526 (stop at chapter 19 heading) of this edition of Democracy in America.
Alexis de Tocqueville made detailed observations about the American work ethic in his travels through America. De Tocqueville noted during his time studying democracy in America, that rich people, maybe not all, found that work was owed by them to the general public. This is largely because heredity wealth wasn’t prevalent during the early American era. Today, heredity wealth is more prevalent in our society and has possibly altered the attitudes toward some “honest occupations” as being always honorable or worthwhile. However, Americans generally have kept the attitude of “giving back,” especially in times of emergencies, travesties, and holidays.
In Democracy in America, De Tocqueville brings to light how honest work is viewed in America compared to Europe. He notes the idea of profit and work being seen as separate identities in Europe, but openly connected in America. This may be obvious as to why for many readers, but as one looks to the beginnings of America, work, often farming, led to regular citizens being able to create wealth that was handed down from one generation to the next in Europe. It took Americans a few generations to create “old money.” Since many of our country’s early American founders and builders, from Stephen Girard to John D. Rockefeller to Henry Ford, among others, built their fortunes mostly from the ground up, it was a given that honest professions would be an accepted path to upward mobility in America.
Hence, “honest” occupations and work ethic have become part of the American civic duty and identity. Unlike most European powers of the time or before, the harder you worked, the more you could move up in status, respect, and quality of life. Your place or status in society was no longer preordained. This attitude gave hope to the commoner of America that he could, through persistence, taking advantage of opportunities, grit, and American individualism, rise above his lot in life. De Tocqueville, knowing or unknowing, was marking the evolution of a new era not only of human existence but of human hope.
Near the end of the chapter, De Tocqueville finishes by stating, “In the United States professions are more or less onerous, more or less lucrative, but they are never high or low. Every honest profession is honorable.” It raises the question, is this still true today, or was the aspect of “every honest profession is honorable,” ever really true? Was De Tocqueville able to get the “honest” impressions of the citizens or was it, as sometimes happens in our time, comments made to make people look good? There is possibly truth to be found in both lines of thinking.
From the day-to-day observations I’ve seen from people throughout the country, most people do look at honest, hard work as worthwhile and honorable. It has been ingrained into the American psyche. However, over time, when individuals or groups of people pull far ahead in particular fields financially, some fields begin to be looked down upon. When De Tocqueville toured America, the farmer was the quintessential image of the hard-working American, being that civic warrior, and gaining wealth. As the 19th century progressed, the farmer was replaced by the industrial giants of the factory, steel, and railroad industries. Farmers began to be looked down upon. Then, as we moved into the 20th century, World War I was thrust upon society. During this time, the farmer once again became essential in the American eye in terms of feeding the mass of soldiers. It was the American farmer who saved our troops by providing food that others couldn’t.
Thus, as De Tocqueville observed, honest professions give credence to one’s life as well as self-respect and determination that are often passed down from generation to generation in the American way of life. As we near the 250th anniversary of the birth of the United States, there is no doubt hard work, honest endeavors of improvement, service to one’s community and family, and being able to follow dreams of success, are all still with us. This does come with caution, however. As technological advances continue, this often has the effect of “honest” professions being less attainable for the working person. America will continue to thrive as long as opportunity continues to present itself and citizens continue to stay hungry. The American citizen must keep the inner hope that what one does for occupation matters as much as the “honest” occupations of our forefathers. I have the greatest hope for our future because of the regular citizen who still thrives on hard, honest professions that will continue to strengthen a foundation we can all build our lives upon.
Dr. Jeff Scott serves as Executive Director of Academic Operations at Troy University. Jeff has taught and led at every level of education In his current role, Jeff develops and oversees programs designed for students and teachers that promote civic education through the lens of history. Dr. Scott has presented nationally at several conferences, including the National Council for the Social Studies and AP Conference. He was the keynote speaker for the Florida Council for the Social Studies in 2024.
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