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CHAPTER XXI.
WHY GREAT REVOLUTIONS WILL BECOME MORE RARE.
A people which has existed for centuries under a system of
castes and classes can only arrive at a democratic state of society
by passing through a long series of more or less critical transformations,
accomplished by violent efforts, and after numerous vicissitudes;
in the course of which, property, opinions, and power are
rapidly transferred from one hand to another. Even after this
great revolution is consummated, the revolutionary habits engendered
by it may long be traced, and it will be followed by deep
commotion. As all this takes place at the very time at which
social conditions are becoming more equal, it is inferred that some
concealed relation and secret tie exists between the principle of
equality itself and revolution, insomuch that the one cannot exist
without giving rise to the other.
On this point reasoning may seem to lead to the same result as experience. Among a people whose ranks are nearly equal, no ostensible bond connects men together, or keeps them settled in their station. None of them have either a permanent right or power to command—none are forced by their condition to obey; but every man, finding himself possessed of some education and some resources, may choose his own path, and proceed apart from all his fellowmen. The same causes which make the members of the community independent of each other, continually impel them to new and restless desires, and constantly spur them onward. It therefore seems natural that, in a democratic community, men, things and opinions should be for ever changing their form and place, and that democratic ages should be times of rapid and incessant transformation.
But is this really the case? does the equality of social conditions habitually and permanently lead men to revolution? does that
