Excerpt from Politics in a Democracy: An Essay
A conspicuous characteristic of people living under a monarchial regime is the sentiment called Loyalty. This is exhibited in reverence for and self-denying devotion to a personal sovereign. It involves a high development of the sense of duty, impelling men to do what they think they ought without hesitation, and even with enthusiasm, irrespective of personal consequences. The path of duty, wherever it may lead, is the only way to glory.
The progress from monarchy to democracy has been marked by a decline of this sentiment of loyalty. Such decline has been stayed by religion, loyalty to a supernatural monarch taking the place of devotion to a human sovereign. The decline has further been stayed by patriotism, love of a common country, which is rendered very intense by a state of defensive conflict for self-preservation. But when religious authority wanes, and the safety of a democracy is established past all fear, with prosperity assured, the sentiment of loyalty dies out. With it also departs in large measure the sense of duty.
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