368 GRAND STRATEGY OF EVOLUTION 



however large, vanishes with the equalization of men- 

 tal power, and any individual, or minor group of in- 

 dividuals, can then use these agencies as their interests 

 may demand. 



There is no way to compel anyone knowingly to 

 act to his own disadvantage when he has the physical 

 power to prevent it; no way to hold back the rising 

 tide of intelligence which, as it sees the way to its own 

 salvation, beats down all artificial barriers to the at- 

 tainment of its desires. 



Hence, if interests lie apart, the system falls apart 

 when that is recognized. If they lie in common, and 

 that is recognized, all the available constructive agen- 

 cies will be voluntarily utilized to that larger end. In 

 that case, the system automatically ceases to be founded 

 on dominion and becomes a voluntary cooperative sys- 

 tem. 



2. Mental Democracy. The second method can- 

 not be the way to unlimited social progress because it 

 is impossible for all individuals, young and old, male 

 and female, to be equally intelligent, or to have equal 

 moral responsibiities and equal ability to fulfil them. 

 Moreover a period is soon reached in social growth 

 when no one individual can comprehend all the prob- 

 lems that arise in that social life, and who will have 

 more than an even chance of acting constructively 

 in reference to them. If it soon becomes impossible 

 for one, it will become impossible, at a much earlier, 

 or more primitive stage of social evolution, for a con- 

 trolling number of individuals to do so. When that 

 stage is reached, consistent progress will be automat- 

 ically checked at a fluctuating zone where chance alone 

 will be the controlling factor. Further progress can 



