Heresy of democracy: a study in the history of government

Cerrainly not, if it were only a question of the 'shortcomings of a particular form of government. But the title of this book is seriously meant. It has been written in the conviction that, in the desperate insecurity of the modern world, what is at issue is not one more mistake in the technique of government, where every generation has multiplied its mistakes since the first syllable of recorded time, but a culminating error of belief which can be a accurately described only in the language of religion. It is a false worship whose sincerest devotees, approaching their idol's shrine with the most unselfish aspirations, wake from their trance of adoration to find themselves bound unawares to the service of devils.

What is worse: the same bondage may await those who, with no real faith in the idol, repeat his litanies from habit, or because they have learnt no other creed. This has been - at least, as late as yesterday-the fashion of nine-tenths of the public men and active voters of the 'Free World', and even of their moral and spiritual guides. There must be no propaganda in our schools", said a blameless English Professor of Education between the wan, "except, of course, propaganda for democracy...."