The Teutonic Origins of Representative Government.
Charles A. Beard
Representative government, as every student of political science well knows, is now under fire. While it not necessary to take too seriously the statements made by delirious purveyors new remedies for old discontents, we cannot fail note fact that a strong tide opinion has set in against this famous institution democracy. On continent Europe, dictators either reject entirely or seek reduce purely advisory functions. In England, rumblings are heard effect Mother Parliaments herself; propositions drastic changes come from members House Commons; and if economic depression unemployment continue another ten years highly probable some radical experiments will be direction concentrating powers. The United States without its troubles. When summer 1931, with deepening industrial crisis, was urged special session Congress called deal national distress, President Hoover rather tartly rejected petition indicated our great representative body more likely retard than help “the process recovery.”
American Political Science Review