INTRODUCTION At no period in the history of democracy have men been compelled to think so seriously about the question of the strength of democratic nations as at the present time. At no time was it ever so plain that the question of national strength is largely an economic one. It is the purpose of this book to examine the economic foundations of our national strength and to point out some of the more direct methods of improvement, to the end that our democratic nation, and all democratic nations, may grow prosperous and great in all the elements of national greatness. This result can never be achieved unless the people themselves understand the economic principles upon which national prosperity and greatness depend. Subject peoples may ignore these principles, relying upon their rulers to supply the necessary economic knowledge and expertness. Democratic peoples have no one to depend upon but themselves; therefore they must know for themselves the leading principles of the science of political economy. A |