Democracy alive

At the request of many of Sir Stafford Cripps's friends I obtained his permission to bring into book form some of the many speeches which he has made during and since the war. An earlier book TOWARDS A CHRISTIAN DEMOCRACY* was published, concentrating upon the Christian background which he believes to be an essential element to any true democratic progress.
It is with the background of that deep faith in the Christian teaching that the present collection of speeches must be read. I have made no attempt to build up a complete picture of the political theory and action in which he believes, but I have rather selected a number of statements which disclose his faith in the democratic method and the needs of a living and pro gressive democracy.

There can be no doubt in anyone's mind that democracy, as we in Great Britain and the British Commonwealth and Empire understand it, is to-day on trial for its life. It is therefore of the utmost importance that we should realise how to think and act for its preservation. Democracy is no static form of political and economic organisation; if ever it should lose its dynamism it would most certainly be condemned to extinction. We must, I am convinced, study the methods by which we can by constant improvement and advance create that true and live democracy which can inspire the people of the world to a deep interest in their own future. It is only by entraining the peoples of the world in the art and practice of their own Government that we shall arrive at the peace and security which we all desire but which hitherto we have so signally failed to achieve.

It is because Sir Stafford Cripps has so profound a belief in such a virile and active democracy that I believe that his state ments brought together in this volume may be of assistance to many who are searching for the same end that he has in view.