ABSTRACT
Democracy may be defined as the equal distribution of ultimate power. Immediate power cannot be equally distributed: there must be an executive government, and there must be judicial authorities. There is no reason to suppose that it would be desirable, even if it were possible, to give executive and judicial power directly into the hands of the electorate. The best known example of democracy in judicial decisions is not encouraging: ‘Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? They said, Barabbas. Pilate said unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.’ This was democracy of a sort, but propaganda was not democratic: ‘the chief priest and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas and destroy Jesus.’ When any one form of power is not democratic, it can be used to vitiate those that are.
