democracy, that it is a system of principles and not of rigid
rules, that these principles must be reinterpreted as times and
conditions change, and that the need for new interpretation and
application will always exist.
Clearly,
therefore, in speaking of democracy, the Committee is not thinking
merely of the form of our institutions and organizations, which are
but means or instruments for men's requirements. To identify
present forms too closely with democratic ideals is to make idols
of the forms, thereby hindering their improvement for the service
of mankind.
In times of
uncertainty many people tend to resist change, in the illusion that
democracy and its institutions are made more secure by an
unchanging order. This, we believe, strikes at the very heart of
democracy by denying to it the right to grow. For democracy's
greatest strength lies in its ability to move constantly forward in
action toward the increasing fulfillment of people's needs and the
greater achievement of its goals. It is man's faith in this ability
which assures the survival of democracy.
DEMOCRACY
ON CHALLENGE
During its
investigation the Committee was constantly reminded that democracy
is on challenge in the world today. A great new foundation can thus
most appropriately make its entrance into human affairs with a
reaffirmation of democratic ideals and with the expressed intention
of assisting democracy to meet that challenge and to realize its
ideals.
The crisis in
the world today requires that democracy do more than restate its
principles and ideals; they must be translated into action. We must
take affirmative action toward the elimination of the basic causes
of war, the advancement of democracy on a broad front, and the
strengthening of its institutions and processes. National conduct
based solely upon fear of communism, upon reaction to totalitarian
tactics, or upon the immediate exigencies of avoiding war, is
defensive and negative.