Our civilization appears to be advancing faster than ever. Yet anyone who looks will see the same. The more advanced the community, the greater the intensity. Wages and interest fall, while rents rise. The rich get richer, the poor grow helpless, the middle class is swept away.
When the disparity of condition increases, democratic elections make it easy to seize the source of power. Many feel no connection with the conduct of government. Embittered by poverty, they are ready to sell their votes to the highest bidder or follow the most blatant demagogue. One class has become too rich to be stripped of its luxuries,Another class is so poor that promises of a few dollars will outweigh abstract considerations. A few roll in wealth, while the many seethe with discontent at things they don't know how to remedy.