Why did Alexis de Tocqueville consider economic independence important for liberty?

Alexis de Tocqueville considered economic independence essential for the preservation of his own intellectual independence. He believed that relying on the state for welfare or employment created a dangerous path toward a universal and degrading dependence on the government across all social classes.1

For Tocqueville, this form of state paternalism was a significant threat to liberty, as it fostered political apathy and the acquiescence of citizens, potentially leading to what he described as a "mild, stagnant despotism". By maintaining economic independence, an individual could avoid the pressures that might otherwise compromise their autonomy and ability to participate meaningfully in a free society.21