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THE REALMS OF DISORDER

Centralizers: must extend control over all factors in a problem or the problem can't be solved

Lloyd George's appeal

Dem. dilemma: depend on assent, unable to find solutions except via centralized control

Attempt to tame power by offsetting it with power
Solution: Break down the fiction of identity: quarrel of two men is theirs, not the quarrel of the nation
Constant assault of propaganda

Village opinions of outside may be strange but facts about village not in dispute. Elders bring events under precedent of law.

Absentee governments lack these checks.

"we must see what Paris is going to do"
French minister's boast

Distantly imposed rules lack the sanction of consent, they rest on force
Here the force of public opinion is ineffective.
Either frustrate own purpose or frustrate pretender purpose.

Role of speculation

Discipline of craftsman, virtues of thrift are not complete guides to success
Lately more about visions: projecting the mind over an invisible environment.

Tendency to standardize to one's convenience the context of one's activity
Bringing more and more men under one custom and law.
Decision makers further from men they govern than before.
Governed see vivid aspects of a whole they can't imagine

Liberalism: vague unwordliness: escape from particular purposes into universal purpose
All men desire perfect adjustment - but on their own terms

Problem becomes soluble if we don't personify society - name of all adjustments b/w individuals -> Individuals who act, not society

ABSENTEE RULERS
Monoistic theories -> centralization of power
Today all the world constitutes one system
Individuals only see part of it

Pretense that all is being told.

Monoistic vs. pluralistic theory, "hint of anarchy"

Liberalism: men are finite, prejudiced, no absolute certainty, bias in all opinion

M. Yevreynoff's monodrama, drunken hero, but author stands outside him
Flight into generalities.
Liberalism still important in disembodied state.
Liberals spoke to all mankind.

Other philosophies always address themselves to a SPECIFIC GROUP.

Democracy made a mass of amateur executives

Masterful few vs. ignorant many: fundamental difference is outsiders vs. insiders
Force of public opinion is partisan, needs its own intellectual methods.

SOCIETY IN ITS PLACE
Society a bewildered herd - due to ascribing it organic unity and purpose.
Leaders maintain this deception -> puts truth in "second place".
Nothing wrong with a frank refusal to tell.

THE PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC OPINION

Not for the Public:
1. Executive action
2. Merits of a question
3. Analysis of the solution
4. Criteria for handling the question

For the Public:
5. Judge if actors are following settled rule of behavior
6. Criteria suitable to nature of Public opinion for #5
7. Reasonable behavior follows settled course in handling a rule

Democratic ideal never defined the function of the Public.

What if all submit to inquiry? Then the test reveals nothing.

A rule should be organized so that experience reveals its defects.
A rule must involve means of clarification, amendment, and due notice.
Amendment should not be continual or unforeseen.
These are not exhaustive or definitive criteria. To some they cannot be applied. Then the public best not act at all.

Limit of public intervention by judgement capacity.

Test of public inquiry surest clue to sincerity and confidence of the claimant.
In absence of law, is he willing to abide by forms by which law may be made?
We are maintaining a society based on the principle that all controversies are soluble by peaceable agreement, even if this is not true, to confirm the habit of reason.

Test of inquiry is the master test to extend frontiers of reason.

Particular reformers must look for support among ruling insiders.
Public can be refined by breaking up wholesale judgments.

Locate objective tests which actor is worthy of support.
Public support is like bank's gold reserve.
During crisis arguments are lost in fog of propaganda.

These most difficult problems are when the public is called upon.

TEST: Which party is willing to submit to inquiry and abide by result?