Читать книгу The New Democracy and the Constitution - William Sharp McKechnie - Страница 2

Introduction

I. Underlying Principles of Democracy.

II. Divergence between the Theory and Practice of Democracy.

III. The Seat of Sovereignty.

Chapter I: Ancient Constitutional Landmarks as Modified by Modern Democratic Theories

I. Representative Government.

II. Changes in Representative Chamber.

III. Representation as a Condition precedent to Taxation.

IV. The Proper Sphere of Parliamentary Finance.

V. The Inviolability of Private Property.

VI. The Correspondence between Supply and Redress.

VII. The Doctrine of Checks and Balances.

Chapter II: The Constitution of To-Day Compared with the Constitution of Fifty Years Ago

I. Characteristics of the Mid-Victorian Constitution.

II. Points of Contrast with Modern Constitution.

Chapter III: Tendencies of Democratic Legislation

I. The Era of Legislative Action supersedes the Era of Free Contract.

II. Capital and Labour.

III. Landlords and Tenants

IV. Majorities and Minorities.

V. Majority Rule and National Finance.

VI. The Encouragement of Thrift.

VII. The Value of Individual Liberty.

Chapter IV: The Stumbling Blocks of Democracy

I. The Difficulty of Plain Speaking.

II. The Policy of Doles.

III. The Ignorance of the Masses.

IV. The Dethronement of Laissez Faire.

V. Extravagance of the House of Commons.

VI. Effects of Unstable Economic Conditions.

VII. Influence of Democracy on the Economic Future of the Nation.

VIII. The Influence of Democracy on National Character.

IX. Influence of Democratic Legislation on Population.

Chapter V: The Theoretical Basis of Democracy

I. Assumption of Equality.

II. The Basis of Majority Rule.

III. Legal and Moral Rights of Minorities.

Chapter VI: Safeguards and Practical Suggestions

I. The Need of Definition.

II. Modification of Democratic Theory.

III. Constitutional Safeguards in Foreign Countries.

IV. Suggested Safeguards for Great Britain.

V. Suggested Safeguards, continued. The Referendum and Proportional Representation.

VI. Suggested Safeguards, continued. Second Chambers and Councils of Experts.

Chapter VII: Conclusion. Need of Looking Ahead.