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Editorial
January 2, 1941
The Western News
Libby, Lincoln County, Montana
What is this article about?
In response to claims that democracy has failed after ten years of depression and unemployment, the editorial argues it is a matter of wise management, akin to successful farm operation, and contrasts it with enslaving dictatorships.
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Full Text
It's a Question of Management
After ten years of depression and hard times, some otherwise good
Americans are becoming infected with the dangerous doctrine that democracy
is proving to be a failure. One of them was heard to remark
the other day: "Now, I am no communist, but you must admit democracy
is a failure here. Look at conditions—a nation-wide depression after 10
years and millions of men still unemployed!" Another good American
made reply to that statement and his reply was a clincher. He used an
illustration.
"I have seen instances, particularly in the Middle West where I
was reared, where a man would make an outstanding success on a farm,"
said the latter American. "Then something happens so as to change
ownership of the farm; the successful man either retires, sells out or
dies. Another man takes over the same land on which the first man
grew prosperous. He makes a complete failure of it and is sold out
by the sheriff in time. Now, it wasn't the fault of the land that the
latter man failed. One man managed the farm wisely and according to
good business practices. The other, either because he didn't know how
or because he did not like hard work, made a failure of the enterprise.
Democracy is much like that. It has to be managed wisely and in accordance
with good business principles if prosperity is to be the lot of
those under it. It is a question of management."
One might add that while democracy has its weaknesses, it does
not bring slavery to the people as do the dictatorships of the present day.
After ten years of depression and hard times, some otherwise good
Americans are becoming infected with the dangerous doctrine that democracy
is proving to be a failure. One of them was heard to remark
the other day: "Now, I am no communist, but you must admit democracy
is a failure here. Look at conditions—a nation-wide depression after 10
years and millions of men still unemployed!" Another good American
made reply to that statement and his reply was a clincher. He used an
illustration.
"I have seen instances, particularly in the Middle West where I
was reared, where a man would make an outstanding success on a farm,"
said the latter American. "Then something happens so as to change
ownership of the farm; the successful man either retires, sells out or
dies. Another man takes over the same land on which the first man
grew prosperous. He makes a complete failure of it and is sold out
by the sheriff in time. Now, it wasn't the fault of the land that the
latter man failed. One man managed the farm wisely and according to
good business practices. The other, either because he didn't know how
or because he did not like hard work, made a failure of the enterprise.
Democracy is much like that. It has to be managed wisely and in accordance
with good business principles if prosperity is to be the lot of
those under it. It is a question of management."
One might add that while democracy has its weaknesses, it does
not bring slavery to the people as do the dictatorships of the present day.
What sub-type of article is it?
Constitutional
Economic Policy
What keywords are associated?
Democracy
Management
Depression
Unemployment
Dictatorship
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Defense Of Democracy As Requiring Good Management
Stance / Tone
Supportive Of Democracy, Emphasizing Management Over Systemic Failure
Key Arguments
Democracy's Success Depends On Wise Management Like A Farm
Poor Economic Conditions Result From Mismanagement, Not Democracy Itself
Dictatorships Impose Slavery Unlike Democracy