ABSTRACT
Popular government has unquestionably been the political ideal of the nineteenth century. Its realization has been the end of most of the changes which have been made during the century in the political institutions of nations enjoying western European civilization. The American political system as at present existing does not thus satisfy the demands of popular government, as they have been defined, in as full a measure as is desirable. Party allegiance gets to replace, as a primary motive of conduct, adherence to political principle. The perpetuation of the party often appears more important than the ends for whose attainment the party itself originally was formed. The parties have had to develop extraordinary strength in order to be able to bring about harmony in the government. Party leaders, on account of this important position assumed by the parties, often assume more importance as controlling factors in the political system than governmental officers.
