PREFACE THE study here presented is the result of reflection upon some problems of Representative Government, particularly in relation to the formulation of policy in modern democracies. This problem is constantly present, but occupation with it was particularly stimulated by the presence in the new German Constitution of a body expressly designed to secure greater creative power than the customary institutions of democracy afford. Two visits to Germany, one in AugustSeptember 1921, and the second in August-September 1922, enabled me to collect the necessary material, and to secure interviews with some of the men most connected with the creation and subsequent operation of the German Federal Economic Council. The second visit was made possible by the fact that the Henry Atkinson Trustees allowed me a grant to meet expenses. My thanks are here gratefully recorded for this kindness. The Economic Council has been in existence only about two and a half years, but the theories surrounding its birth and the problems that have arisen since its establishment and during its short period of life are already of importance to political scientists. This study contains a large proportion of history, but it is history that affords a lesson and not merely the barren annals of a transient movement. Comparison with England has been made both to give occasion for an analysis of English institutions and needs as well as to bring out the significance of the German experiment. Berlin in 1922 charmed my heart as well as occupied my mind. For here was a people in deep distress showing a great courage in face of an economic future without any promise of betterment. It was a toiling people, a constructive people, and on the whole, a very kindly people. The courage and the beauty of the city at that time can never be forgotten. For I could commune at will (as never at home) with the music of Mozart and Wagner and Strauss played to houses full of people direct from the labour of the day; I could see the emotion of the spirit portrayed on their faces as the story of Peer Gynt passed before them in scenes of marvellous stagecraft. Nor will my great gratitude to, and delightful memories of, my good friends of Berlin and from London suffer diminution. Unnamed, those friends yet have the knowledge of my deep thankfulness. My sincere thanks are due to my colleague and friend Mr. H. J. Laski, to Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Webb, to Professor Graham Wallas and to Sir William H. Beveridge for their valuable comments on my MS. HERMAN FINER. April 18, 1923. Vous êtes perdus Et pourquoi le Mais surtout, réunissez-vous tous. sans ressource, si vous restez divisés. seriez-vous, quand de si grands intérêts communs Vous unissent? Comment, dans un pareil danger, la basse jalousie et les petites passions osent-elles se faire entendre? Valent-elles qu'on les contente à si haut prix ? et faudra-t-il que vos enfants disent un jour en pleurant sur leurs fers: Voilà le fruit des dissensions de nos pères ? ROUSSEAU, Lettres écrites de la Montagne, ix. C'est la science, et non le peuple, en qui est la souveraineté. Une bêtise répétée par trente-six millions de bouches ne cesse pas d'être une bêtise. ANATOLE FRANCE, M. Bergeret à Paris. |