Why, as civilization spreads, do outstanding men become fewer? Why, when attainments are the lot of all, do great intellectual talents become rarer? Why, when there are no longer lower classes, are there no longer upper classes? Why, when knowledge of how to rule reaches the masses, is there a lackof great abilities in the direction of society? America clearly poses these questions.But who can answer them?

-Tocqueville, Alexis Charles Henri Cle¤  rel de
  Translated by George Lawrence. Quoted in J P Mayer (ed) Journey toAmerica (1960).