Towards a New Democracy

No society can live without an ideal to inspire it or a clear understanding of the principles guiding its organization. Periods of high civilization occur when both these conditions are met.' These are the opening words of Valéry Giscard d'Estaing's remarkable book, the first in living memory to be written by a Head of State while in office.

The polarization of Marxism and collectivism on one side and capitalism and private enter prise on the other has left a vacuum in the centre which traditional liberalism' is no longer able to fill.

The President of the French Republic has taken the electorate into his confidence and has set down with great eloquence and clarity the very complex social, economic and political prob lems which confront his country today, as well. as 'the guiding principles' with which he hopes to inspire the citizens from whom he derives his mandate to bring about the desirable state of high civilization'.

M. Giscard d'Estaing writes primarily for France and for Frenchmen. But inasmuch as the problems, conditions and institutions he writes about are common to most Western. Democracies, and Britain in particular, his constructive message is as important outside France as within it.

TOWARDS A NEW DEMOCRACY is an inspiring book, a controversial book and a timely book. It deserves the attention of all, in or out of government, who strive for economic, social and cultural harmony and well-being.