H. Spencer, “Patriotism,”, " Rebarbarization” (in Facts and Comments).  G. K. Chesterton, “Patriotism” (in The Defendant).  G. Santayana, Reason in Society, chap.  VII.  Outlook, vol. 92, p. 317; vol. 90, p. 534.  International Journal of Ethics, vol. 16, p. 472.  The American Association for International Conciliation (Sub-Station 84, New York City) sends free literature on request.  A bibliography of peace literature will be found in their pamphlet No. 64.  E. L. Godkin, “Peace” (in Reflections and Comments).  W. James, “Speech at the Peace Banquet,” and “The Moral Equivalent of War” (in Memories and Studies’).  Jane Addams, Newer Ideals of Peace, chaps.  I, vii; The Arbiter in Council.  J. Novicow, War and its Alleged Benefits.  N. Angell, The Great Illusion.  W. J. Tucker, The New Movement of Humanity.  V. L. Kellogg, Beyond War, chap.  I. D. S. Jordan, War and Waste.  R. C. Morris, International Arbitration and Procedure.  International Journal of Ethics, vol. 22, p. 127.  World’s Work, vol. 20, p. 13318; vol. 21, p. 14128.  Independent, vol. 77, p. 396.  Outlook, vol. 86, pp. 137, 145; vol. 83, p. 376; vol. 84, p. 29; vol. 98, p. 59.  Hibbert Journal, vol. 12, p. 105.

CHAPTER XXIV

POLITICAL PURITY

And efficiency the attainment of a stable peace is the first public duty; the second is the achievement of an efficient government.  Where politics are corrupt and inefficient all social progress is obstructed; and all such ideals of a reshaped human society as the Socialists yearn toward must be postponed until we have learned to run the machinery of government smoothly and effectively.  The backward condition of peoples whose government is unintelligent needs no examples.  The Russo-Japanese War brought into sharp contrast a nation of limitless resources and fine human stock handicapped and crippled by a selfish bureaucracy, and a much smaller nation, inexperienced and remote from the great world currents, but strengthened and made efficient by an intelligent and patriotic administration.  In Persia and Mesopotamia we find poverty, ignorance, desert, where once flourished mighty empires:  bad government is the cause.  Greece and Italy and Egypt are struggling to recover from centuries of misgovernment.  In this country government has been far wiser and more responsive to the community’s needs; and yet the apathy of the intelligent public and the intrusion of private greed have distorted and obstructed legislation until social reformers throw up their hands in despair.  But there are hopeful signs.  The causes of this political mismanagement are being more generally recognized today, and it is probable that the next few decades will witness great strides toward improving the mechanism of American government and banishing corruption.

What are the forces making for corruption in politics?