The challenge of Democracy-3rd ed.

We ask the readers of this book to ponder "the challenge of democracy." Democracy offers its own challenge to other systems and other ways of life to establish equal safeguards for the individual's pursuit of happiness, and at the same time to promote the general welfare of society.
In turn democracy faces challenges, from without and from within. How soon will our American democracy make good its promises to provide equal opportunity for all? What about the Four Freedoms? If we feel secure in our possession of freedom of speech, if our freedom to worship as we please remains seemingly inviolate, can we speak with equal assurance about nation-wide freedom from want and fear? Because these and other problems persist, there are high school courses for the study of them. Space does not permit discussion of every problem of our complex society. Nor does it allow exhaustive analysis of all the varied aspects of the problems considered. The most essential issues that confront us, however, are treated with an objective appraisal of the major points of view held by our citizens.
The aims of democracy are freedom and justice, looking toward a
better life for all the people. These goals are constant, but there is
nothing rigid or inflexible about the institutions set up to reach them.
We must understand the fundamental ideas of the democratic faith.
We must recognize the problems of democracy and apply the demo-
cratic method to their solution. That is today's great “challenge of
democracy."
This book, planned and organized in the light of these considerations, was revised upon the very principle of change that is implicit in them. Democratic institutions are never completed; they are always being built. The boys and girls of today will shortly be numbered among the builders. Therefore, in this course the primary objectives are to develop a knowledge of our present democracy, to promote an understanding of democratic ideas as applied to present problems, and to encourage an attitude of personal responsibility in support of the ideals and institutions of democracy.