developing in our time. We all know thai 19th century de-
mocracy represented a great progress, and ils positive role
in the struggle against despotism, as well as against fascism
in our day, is well known. In the 19th century, democracy
of the parliamentary type developed in a number of coun-
tries, and that was a great step forward in the evolution of
state life. But outside the election campaigns, and outside
the walls of parliament, that democracy did not attain broad
development. The participation of the people in the affairs
of state still remained very restricted.
In our time, in the age of radio, newspapers and cinema,
when there are, moreover, mass political parties and trade
unions, and when not infrequently even the Church takes a
very broad part in political campaigns, democracy has
acquired a quite different aspect. The entire people, the
millions, the masses, are now being drawn into political life.
Not only during election campaigns, but from day to day
the broad masses are now participating in the political life
of their country and are actively reacting io international
developments.
Together with the great advances of radio, the daily
press and many other forms of mass enlightenment, democ-
racy, too, and the forms of its embodiment, are making
rapid headway in these times. Trieste is situated at one of
the important political points of Europe, and all that has
been said is fully applicable to it. We shall not be compre-
hended if we arrive at the opinion that we must refrain from
applying the principles of democracy in Trieste. From this
we must draw the conclusion that the state structure of
Trieste must be built on democratic principles.
Trieste cannot remain outside the general stream of
development of democracy in the countries of Europe. If we
carefully study what there is acceptable to all of us in the
modern democratic forms in Europe, we shall certainly find
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