ABSTRACT
Egalitarianism is an ideology which, among the values falling within the formula of legitimacy in force in western industrial societies, gives to equality in one or other of its meanings a preponderant place. De Tocqueville sees in the march towards equality of conditions a long-lasting tendency which he ventures to qualify as ‘providential’. Even better, he distinguishes the forms that this tendency takes. The legal status of individuals became equal with the end of feudalism. Therefore individuals were recognized as being equally capable of entering into contracts, of buying and selling, of marrying. Afterwards, or concurrently, came a process of equalization of political rights. To all men, then to all adults of both sexes, the right to vote would be given. Third, our societies becoming more productive and richer, the extreme disparities between abundance and penury are gradually diminished-or rather it is seen that they must be diminished. To this very optimistic tableau, a last feature can be added. The inequalities of participation in public benefits such as education, health, and in the diverse amenities of life in society, will themselves also be progressively reduced, to the point where at the limit all the members of the modern city would be able to lay claim to the enjoyment of the same cultural treasure.
