Book Reviews : The Growth of Democratic Government. By DELBERT BROWN. (Washington, D.C.: (Public Affairs Press, 1959. Pp. vii, 117. $3.25.)

• Author: Elwyn H. Odell
• Published date: 01 December 1961
• Date: 01 December 1961
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/106591296101400413
• Subject Matter: Articles

965
This reviewer is concerned about one thing, and after Professor Aylmer’s
tour de f orce, it may be cavilling. He has used a vast amount of material, much
of it secondary, from which he has extracted crucial items for the superb weaving
of the study. The various sources are clearly cited in genuine footnotes (bless
the editor!); but they are not gathered into a bibliography. This reviewer feels
the lack thereof and wishes that at least the most valuable items were so confined.
COLIN RHYS LOVELL
University of Southern California
The Growth of Democratic Government. By DELBERT BROWN. (Washington,
D.C.: (Public Affairs Press, 1959. Pp. vii, 117. $3.25.)
&dquo;If democracy is to hold the ground it gains, it must be highly developed for
maximum effectiveness, efficiency, leadership, and strength. Only by the most
effective organization can we preserve our personal freedom, safeguard democracy
from dictatorship and oppression, and prevent another great war.&dquo; This is the
major thesis of The Growth, of Democratic Government. If true, it is a big order,
for the author has compiled a dismal catalogue of the frailties of democratic sys-
tems of organization. Some have resulted in catastrophe. What is more, the
worst catastrophe may lie ahead - the loss of Asia and Africa to democracy.
The author suggests one ray of hope in &dquo;the success of Kemal Pasha in estab,
lishing the Republic of Turkey.&dquo; Hope lies in the fact that Turkey &dquo;is showing us
that our failures are organizational, that they are not to be blamed on the low level
of literacy, lack of individual freedom and experience in democratic government.&dquo;
The book dwells at length on the systems of democratic organization devel-
oped in England, France, and the United States. Appropriate parallels are drawn
for the rest of Europe and for Latin America, influenced as they were by French
and American political forms. While the author discusses thoroughly the virtues
of English cabinet government,...