POLITICAL PARTY OFFICIALS: RESPONSIVENESS TO THE PUBLIC

In: The annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Band 363, S. 28-35

Abstract

The theme is developed around P. H. Douglas' THE COMING OF A NEW PARTY (1932). Crying out against corruption & business domination in both major parties, Douglas saw hope only through the coming of a new party. The contrast between Douglas' `then' & our `now' is striking. `Public interest' has been redefined, with great new pol'al power developed by labor, soc security publics, minorities, price-supported farmers, & others with a stake in gov'al intervention. Contributing also to the new environment in which pol'al party officials must operate are stronger executive leadership, civil service & the 'Hatch Act' type of legislation, improved public admin, & variables influencing party org. All men are not inherently evil, but in any competitive situation there are likely to be some who will stoop to whatever will get by. The degree of ethical array or disarray will depend in large part, therefore, on the levels of personal conduct & the approach toward the `public interest' which the environment will or will not tolerate. HA.