Essays in Social Dynamics BY Professor D. G. Ritchie, G. H. Perris, J. R. MacDonald THE PREFACE 'HE mere politics of popular government is not at present in so great need of the benefits of discussion as is the relation of democracy to the process of evolution in history, to international co-operation, to industry, to the family, to woman as a social factor, to the moral instruction and education of children, to the philosophic habit among the people, to literature and art in general, and to the inner springs of human conduct. Each of these topics forms the subject of a special essay in this volume. Although every essay is independent of the others, they together give a comprehensive view of the whole ground traversed. The writers who were invited to contribute the different essays were those whom the Society of Ethical Propagandists considered best able to treat the subjects thoroughly and sympathetically, from the point of view indicated by the wordsEthical Democracy. The literary manner of the chapters naturally changes with the authorship. Also, on special points a divergence of opinion may manifest itself. It should further be remembered that no one essayist is responsible for opinions not expressed by himself. Since the volume was planned and after most of the essays had been written, the question of Imperialism and its relation to Democracy came prominently before the public, and differences of opinion have become apparent. Especially, Professor D. G. Ritchie desires it to be stated that he in no wise shares any antiImperialistic sentiments which other essayists may have expressed here or elsewhere, and Professor J. H. Muirhead that he is not in sympathy with the prevailing tone on this question. |