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Forms of Government 471to the united democracies of the world. Or it might be somethinglike the disguised oligarchy of an international council reposingits rule on the assent, expressed by election or otherwise, ofwhat might be called a semi-passive democracy as its first figure.For that is what the modern democracy at present is in fact; thesole democratic elements are public opinion, periodical electionsand the power of the people to refuse re-election to those whohave displeased it. The government is really in the hands of thebourgeoisie, the professional and business men, the landholders,— where such a class still exists, — strengthened by a number ofnew arrivals from the working-class who very soon assimilatethemselves to the political temperament and ideas of the governingclasses. 4 If a World-State were to be established on thepresent basis of human society, it might well try to develop itscentral government on this principle.But the present is a moment of transition and a bourgeoisWorld-State is not a probable consummation. In each of themore progressive nations, the dominance of the middle class isthreatened on two sides. There is first the dissatisfaction of theintellectuals who find in its unimaginative business practicalityand obstinate commercialism an obstacle to the realisation oftheir ideals. And there is the dissatisfaction of the great andgrowing power of Labour which sees democratic ideals andchanges continually exploited in the interests of the middle class,though as yet it has found no alternative to the Parliamentarismby which that class ensures its rule. 5 What changes the alliancebetween these two dissatisfactions may bring about, it is impossibleto foresee. In Russia, where it was strongest, we have seen ittaking the lead of the Revolution and compelling the bourgeoisieto undergo its control, although the compromise so effectedcould not long outlast the exigencies of the war. Since then theold order there has been “liquidated” and the triumph of the new4 This has now changed and the Trade Unions and similar institutions have attainedan equal power with the other classes.5 Written before the emergence of the Soviet State in Russia and of the Fascist States.In the latter it is the middle class itself that rose against democracy and established fora time a new form of government and society.