332 MODERN POLITICS 



to be educated into an ideal of political life. But 

 the impulses which urged the masses to demand 

 the privilege of voting do not effectively incite 

 them to exercise it. Interest may be stimulated 

 by selfishness ; but, so far, the emulative spirit, 

 evoked by the antagonism of political parties, has 

 been the most effective agency for bringing voters 

 to the polls. Of recent years a new impulse has 

 come into the drama that of a provident desire 

 for human benefit. As yet it has secured but a 

 subordinate part ; but the future of civic develop- 

 ment depends upon its success in winning a place 

 in the foreground. 



In these scenes of transformation what have 

 been the forces which have driven a dominant 

 impulse into retirement and brought another to 

 the front in its place ? Are we to attribute these 

 changes to the pressure of circumstances ? Has 

 monarchy been subverted, for instance, by ex- 

 perience of the injustice of kings, or of the failure 

 of heredity to transmit kingly qualities ? This 

 we may hardly affirm, seeing that in many parts 

 of the world monarchy still commands the whole- 

 hearted allegiance of intelligent men. Circum- 

 stances, beyond a doubt, contribute to change : 

 such are the increasing density of population, the 

 accumulation of wealth and of knowledge, the 

 extension of commerce, of manufacture and of 

 travel. But their bearings must be appreciated 

 to become effective, and, for this, certain peculari- 

 ties of disposition are needed, which are not 

 inherent in all men. Reform is impossible unless 

 there is a disposition towards change : freedom 

 is withered if the glow of reverence remains un- 

 dimmed : democracy cannot survive unless 

 fostered by ingrained notions of deference to the 

 majority : popular aspirations are nerveless unless 

 a growing self-consciousness supports them. When 

 these qualities are possessed by a people, and 



