ABSTRACT
The practical ideal of democracy consists in the self-government of the masses in conformity with the decision of popular assemblies. The sovereign masses are altogether incapable of undertaking the most necessary resolutions. The impotence of direct democracy, like the power of indirect democracy, is a direct outcome of the influence of number. The mass is sincerely grateful to its leaders, regarding gratitude as a sacred duty. As a rule, the sentiment of gratitude is displayed in the continual re-election of the leaders who have deserved well of the party, so that leadership commonly becomes perpetual. Consequently a frequent repetition of election is an elementary precaution on the part of democracy against the virus of oligarchy. The only scientific doctrine which can boast of ability to make an effective reply to all the theories, old or new, affirming the immanent necessity for the perennial existence of the “political class” in the Marxist doctrine.
