ABSTRACT
In the opinion of many people, government is merely a matter of election. Election in popular phraseology is taken to be synonymous with representation, and the identity seems to be proved by the very general adoption of the term “elected representative.” The truth is that there is no contradiction between the principle of election and the theory of the new work. The true function of an electorate or of an elective assembly is to conform to the law of natural selection in government, or in other words to follow the verdict that has been registered by the ordeal of political life. The object of election is to secure ability: it is engaged in deciding the question of the relative superiority of individuals. The duty people called upon to perform is to assist in the election of the ablest available persons for the purpose of conducting the government of the country.
