CHAPTER IV

THE MEANS BY WHICH THE GREAT MAN ACQUIRES POWER IN POLITICS

In discussing the means by which the great man wields power in politics, the debatable question differs from the question raised by his power in industry; • 176

for the points that are debated in the case of the great wealth-producer are admitted by all in the case of the governor • 176

The greatest democrat admits that the governor must be an exceptional man, • 177

and also that he must be chosen by elective competition • 177

There is a competitive element even in autocracies, • 178

and democracies are essentially competitive • 178

All parties also agree that laws must be enforced by pains and penalties • 179

Democrats are peculiar only in their theory that the sole greatness required in their governors is a perceptive and executive greatness, which will enable them to carry out the spontaneous wishes of the many • 179

This is the only point in which the democratic theory differs from the aristocratic • 180

The democratic ruler is, theoretically, a balance for weighing the wills of the many, • 181

or a machine for executing their “mandates”; • 182

and there are signs which might suggest that the few in politics are really becoming the mere instruments of the many • 182

But these signs are deceptive; for what seems the will of the many, really depends on the action of another minority • 183

Opinions, to derive power from the numbers who hold them, must be identical; • 184

but they seldom are identical till a few men have manipulated them • 184

Thus what seems to be the opinion of the many is generally dependent on the influence of a few • 185

The many, for instance, would never have had any opinions on Free Trade or Bimetallism if the few had not worked on them • 185

Popular opinion requires exceptional men, as nuclei, round which to form itself • 187

Thus even in what seems extremest democracy the few are essential • 188

Democrats, however, may argue that under democracy the few do, in the long-run, carry out the wishes of the many • 188

Even were this true, the current formulas of democracy would be false, for unequal men would be essential to executing the wishes of equals • 189

Now in reality the few are never mere passive agents; • 189

but nevertheless the many do impress their will on them to a great extent • 190

The question is to _what_ extent? • 191

This introduces us to a new side of the problem—the extent of the power of the many • 191

This is greater in politics than in industry; • 192

and yet when we think it over we shall see that it is great in most domains of activity • 192

We had to take it for granted at starting. We must now examine it • 193