CONCLUSION 4°7

ideas, or by mere indifference to them, sets limits to the power
of leaders. Great advances are made when the masses of mankind
desire tliem and will make effort and sacrifice to obtain them.

The strength of the democratic method of Government is that
it gives the clearest expression to these desires. What the common
people expect of Government is simple enough; to get a fair return
for the work they do, to live at peace, to see a prospect of still
better times for their children. To achieve these ends the work
of great men is sometimes necessary; but unless the great are
subject to the criticism and control of the people, they are liable
to forget the purpose of Government and to succumb to the
temptation of desiring power for its own sake. It is the object of
democracy to prevent this abuse. But while it is, therefore, the
method of Government which is richest in the possibility of
advancement, it is also the most difficult to practise. It is not
content with the order that a tyrant can impose by the strangula-
tion ofthought: it requires men to think and to demand progress;
to express their disagreements and yet live at peace; to be eager
for their own beliefs, yet tolerant of those of others.

Therefore in democratic States, such as Britain, there is a
contribution for each individual to make. Everyone cannot be
expert in administration, or abundantly supplied with knowledge;
but everyone can recognise that public affairs are his affairs, and
can apply to them at least as much care as he applies to his private
concerns. He may begin to do this because it seems to be to his
immediate interest; but after he has experienced co-operative
public work, he will find that the rendering of service to his
fellows is part of his own happiness. There are exceptional
people who sacrifice themselves entirely to others; but there are
not enough of these to form the basis of society. The majority
of mankind will seek their own happiness, but there is in them
a social instinct which will not permit them to find happiness
in solitude.Jt is this widespread desire to seek happiness together
which should be the basis of society, and to which the forms of
politics should give expression.