"This work was planned, and the opening chapters were written, in the earlier months of the year 1914, when the outbreak of a great war was only a remote contingency. Since then, and more especially during the last twelve months, the subject here discussed - namely, the nature and the limits of the power of pure democracy - has acquired day by day a more immediate importance. Indeed, all practical controversies may be said now to turn on it..." William Hurrell Mallock was a prominent British philosopher who was known for his books on atheism and socialism as well. He was also the author of The New Republic, an important title in the history of utopian literature.